Teach, Train, Retain:
The Workforce Value of Employer-Sponsored Learning
The entry-level education of health care providers typically emphasizes the value of lifelong learning, recognizing the limits of entry-level education, the speed at which new evidence is published and approaches to care change, and the responsibility to maintain contemporary expertise. While lifelong learning is an individual responsibility, it is also an employer responsibility and contributes to worthwhile benefits for employers.
A comprehensive literature review identified several benefits of employer sponsored continuing professional development or education.
First, job relevance drives retention. When professional development courses are directly related to patient care, it enhances retention. A useful employer strategy to consider is providing support for professional development that is directly related to current patient caseload or an area into which your practice is interested in expanding.
Second, when professional development leads to promotion or new role eligibility, retention is enhanced. Consider integrating professional development expectations into career pathways.
Third, “refreshers,” which are necessary because knowledge decays over time (as skills improve over time) without ongoing reinforcement, are seen by employees as an investment in their learning and effectiveness, which positively impacts retention. Investing in professional development to refresh knowledge also captures advances in research and evidence, which typically take a long time to make their way into practice.
Fourth, retention is improved when employer sponsored professional development programs are linked to advancement or licensure renewal. Pediatric rehabilitation professionals, including PTs, OTs, and SLPs, have annual continuing professional development requirements tied to licensure and employer support for meeting these requirements contributes directly to retention.
Investment in continuing professional development or education is a valuable shared responsibility that benefits both individuals and employers/practices.
It’s a true win-win.
Janet R Bezner, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
Dr. Bezner is recently retired Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at Texas State University. She holds degrees from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas Woman’s University, the University of Texas, and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Before joining Texas State, she served as Vice President of Education, Governance, and Administration at the American Physical Therapy Association and previously as Senior Vice President at PeakCare, Inc., leading development of wellness and prevention technologies.
With experience across academia, clinical practice, and corporate wellness, Dr. Bezner has taught at Texas State, practiced in multiple healthcare settings, and served on APTA’s Board of Directors. A Catherine Worthingham Fellow and Lucy Blair Service Award recipient, she is also a national board certified health and wellness coach and an experienced speaker on leadership, personal development, strategic planning, and health promotion.
Are you a pediatric therapy organization owner or leader interesting in learning more about opportunities for providing continuing education for your team?
Are you a pediatric therapy organization owner or leader interesting in learning more about opportunities for providing continuing education for your team?Knowledge Is Now offers a variety of ways for organizations to engage with high quality content and support therapist growth! Find out more: Pediatric Organizations – Education & Support
– Customized Education
– Pediatric Therapy Clinical Orientation
– Knowledge In Action Support
– Company Affiliate Opportunities
