Variables influencing physical therapists' perceptions of continuing education

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As of October 1, 2002, physical therapy continuing education (CE) in Illinois was mandated. Research examining the recent mandate for physical therapists to engage in CE is limited. The purposes of this study were to examine the perceptions of physical therapist clinicians and managers concerning the barriers to and facilitators of CE and to identify how physical therapists perceive the role of their department in the CE process. SUBJECTS: Participants were 23 physical therapists at 6 hospitals. METHODS: Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: negotiating and managing the variables associated with CE, providing and promoting opportunities that meet physical therapists' CE needs, identifying the elements of employment environments that foster CE, and perceived implications of mandating CE. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This investigation highlights the need to identify the core set of variables associated with engaging in CE and to promote the elements of employment environments that foster CE.