Psychological Determinants of Oral Surgeons' Intentions to Participate in Continuing Professional Education
Pryor, Brandt Wedell
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/69131
Description
Title
Psychological Determinants of Oral Surgeons' Intentions to Participate in Continuing Professional Education
Author(s)
Pryor, Brandt Wedell
Issue Date
1987
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Adult and Continuing
Abstract
This study tested the utility of the theory of reasoned action for research on continuing education (CE) participation by investigating oral surgeons' intentions to register for a continuing professional education program. Data were collected from a sample of 110 surgeons by mailed questionnaire. Data were analyzed by multiple regression and correlation. The instrument was validated by Campbell and Fiske's multitrait-multimethod matrix.
The theory successfully predicted and explained intentions to register for the program. Intention was found to be determined virtually by attitude, which was based largely on the strength of beliefs about outcomes of registering. Stronger beliefs in such outcomes as improved patient care, and learning more about diagnosis and treatment, contributed to more positive attitudes and intentions to register.
The study's findings have implications for theory, research and practice in CE. The highly testable theory of reasoned action provides an appropriate model for understanding how adults make decisions about participating in CE, and would be an excellent guide for future research. Such research would be comparable and cumulative, unlike previous atheoretical studies. The understanding of participation provided by this new line of inquiry could improve practice, especially in program design and promotion. Understanding why adults participate, or do not, would enable CE professionals to eliminate program features which repel, and to strengthen features which attract, participation.
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