[26] Other factors investigated related to personal development, improved knowledge, competence and career progression, BYL719 cell line better outcomes for patients and work and the enhancement of the status of the profession.[30] In one study, most of those who saw no benefit to CPD were not undertaking any CE or CPD.[31] Researchers investigating the association of personality types with portfolio keeping found a statistically significant positive association with the personality traits ‘conscientiousness’, ‘agreeableness’ and ‘emotional stability’ (measuring low on the ‘neuroticism’ scale).[29] The same research group also reported an inability to

link CPD with enhancing practice in hospital pharmacy had caused disillusionment with the CPD process.[25] The second half of the decade saw a general trend towards accepting CPD. In one study the recently qualified were more comfortable with reflective practice, and while some found portfolios a threat, others found them motivational.[23] Some pharmacists had used CPD to support movement between sectors.[22] In the main primary care pharmacists had the most confidence, ability

and resources to participate in CPD, followed by hospital and then community pharmacists.[18] All the technicians interviewed GDC-0941 research buy in one study, despite lack of initial training, had learnt about and were recording CPD.[27] One study reported predominantly positive views about CPD but this did not

necessarily correlate with CPD recording as a behaviour.[21] Respondents to the PARN report were mainly positive towards CPD; the main motivations for participating in CPD were reported as professional/regulatory requirement, professional duty, improvements to current performance and development as a person. The majority these agreed CPD had been important to the development of their career.[41] Attitudes to mandatory CPD were investigated from the beginning of the decade (see Table 7). There was general consensus that, even if not necessarily made ‘mandatory’, pharmacists should be engaging in CPD,[26] certainly those whose job is only satisfied by the employment of a pharmacist.[40] A variety of reasons have been cited[21] and in one study compulsory CPD was deemed more important for the profession as a whole and for personal development than for career progression and general departmental/business objectives.[30] One study found participants unhappy with mandatory CPD and the concept of non-practitioners assessing records, preferring peer review or assessment with a local mentor instead.[33] Not many pharmacists agreed that the performance of CPD should be assessed independently and less than half disagreed pharmacists can remain professionally competent without any CPD.