There was little difference in the proportion of organizations with high levels of skills and involvement in core CDP practices (i.e., needs assessment, identification of relevant practices, planning, evaluation).
These sessions respond to different strategies for the optimisation of clinical practice: needs assessment based on audit and feedback, prioritisation of areas of improvement using consensus techniques, evidence-based education sessions, and participatory modelling of interventions, by mapping and piloting of intervention components.
With the emergence of outcome-based educational initiatives, needs assessments of practicing healthcare professionals have become a primary tool for identifying gaps and barriers to change in daily clinical practice.
Although CPD is more likely to lead to a change in practice when a needs assessment has been conducted [ 18], literature reporting consultation with practitioners prior to the introduction of such programmes is limited.
The training programmes in Iran, and those that the Nuffield Centre might support in the future elsewhere, should continue to be characterized by principles of good practice: detailed training needs assessment, appropriate participant selection, learning outcomes, content and methods, and focused evaluation.
While some literature reports the development of ambulance CPD programmes internationally [ 7, 8] and while CPD is more likely to lead to a change in practice when a needs assessment has been conducted [ 16], literature that reports consultation with practitioners prior to the introduction of such programmes is limited.
The needs assessment approach derives from adult learning theory as applied to clinical practice [ 31].
Conduct a needs assessment.
Information concerning best practice guidelines, needs assessments, program planning, and clinical protocols were frequently exchanged for this purpose.
Rapid needs assessments and surveillance activities are common practices undertaken in the aftermath of a disaster to address this broad goal.
