Perceptions, attitudes, and challenges regarding continuing professional development among Ethiopian medical laboratory professionals: A mixed-methods study

Background Medical laboratory professionals play vital roles in healthcare. The growing demand for quality laboratory services and emerging technologies underscore the crucial need for continuing professional development (CPD). However, there is limited information on CPD programs in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess medical laboratory professionals’ perceptions, attitudes, and challenges toward CPD and improve engagement to enhance diagnostic service quality. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 228 medical laboratory professionals in Ethiopia from July to October 2023. A mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative data from an online survey and qualitative data from interviews was used. SPSS version 28 was used for the data analysis. Results The average age of the study participants was 32.6 ± 6.4 (SD) years, the majority were men (88.6%), and 44.3% had worked for more than ten years. Of the participants, 51% never had CPD training. Approximately three-fourths of the participants perceived CPD as essential to their professional careers. Approximately 45.2% of the study participants perceived that the purpose of the CPD course is to renew their license and gain knowledge and skills that are not covered in basic training. While most participants had good attitudes toward CPD, approximately 10% of them stated that CPD is not important for their career growth. The majority of the study participants were not in support of the decentralized CPD system. A notable problem with finance, insufficient manpower, unsupportive employers, a lack of awareness by regulatory bodies, and inadequate access to training close to their working area were identified as significant challenges of the CPD program. Conclusion This study highlights the perception that CPD is crucial for enhanced laboratory practices and career advancement. This study highlights the need for targeted strategies to address the identified problems and increase the engagement of medical laboratory professionals in the CPD program.