Professional development : the key to effectiveness

Professional development of staff members, from an organisational perspective, is an area to which minimal attention has been given within the hospital system. Those programs which have been provided have focused on a basic orientation program for new employees, and some continuing education sessions emphasising the use of equipment and new procedures. The allocation of fiscal resources to this area has been minimal, a planned, evaluated approach to the educational needs of staff being perceived as relatively unimportant. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the professional development needs of midwifery staff employed at the Queen Alexandra Division, Royal Hobart Hospital. It is the author's contention that, through a program focusing on the professional and personal potential of each midwife, the effective use of all available human resources can be assured, with a concomitant increase in job satisfaction for the participants, and the successful achievement of organisational goals. A positive correlation between organisational effectiveness and staff development is suggested within this dissertation, this hypothesis being supported by an examination of relevant literature. The distinction between professional development programs, emphasising clinical skills and updating of specialist knowledge, and staff development programs is made , the latter aimed at providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. The responses to a midwifery staff's questionnaire aimed at eliciting perceptions about their educational needs are analysed, and an outline of possible programs for implementation discussed, attention being given to cost-effectiveness and evaluation. The success of any educational program is dependent upon a supportive organisational climate, this aspect being examined in relation to the organisation in which the planned program is to be implemented. Two tools are used in an evaluation of the current organisational climate with areas in need of improvement being highlighted.