Insights into continuing professional development within higher education

Clinical placement supervisors and medical laboratory science (MLS) academics play a key role in nurturing the ‘work ready’ skills of MLS students. The currency of learning content has a significant impact on professional competency and graduate learning attributes. This study aimed to (a) understand the perceptions of clinical placement supervisors regarding the clinical and professional competency of current students and graduates of the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) accredited MLS programs; and (b) to explore its potential link with the continuing professional development (CPD) and currency of academics teaching into accredited programs. The study was conducted in two phases. Two anonymous online surveys designed using SurveyMonkey were distributed to clinical placement supervisors (Phase
1) and teaching academics of AIMS-accredited MLS programs (Phase 2). Likert scale type, demographic, open and closed ended questions were employed. The study highlighted the importance of currency and CPD of academics in delivering
high-quality, professionally relevant learning activities.