Paper Title
Impact of a Continuous Professional Development Program for Practicing Physiotherapists

Abstract
Continuous professional development program (CPD) for physiotherapists has undergone an enormous metamorphosis in the last two decades. Recent innovations, especially in the field of therapeutic techniques for pain management and rehabilitation are considered to be responsible for this change. It is often presumed that the physiotherapists need to be thorough in their knowledge in gross anatomy prior to learning new skills or therapeutic techniques. We implemented a Living (Surface) anatomy module for physiotherapists, prior to the teaching of therapeutic techniques, for the first time in one of the CPD programs as a supportive venture in their clinical practice. Aim: The present study intended to evaluate the impact of a CPD program on reinforcing practicing physiotherapists� knowledge, skills and attitude in their clinical practice. Methods: A one day workshop was introduced on living (surface) human anatomy for participants (n=27) of a CPD program in the form of manual muscle testing(MMT) and body painting of selected muscles of trunk and limbs. Informed consent was taken from every participant. Volunteers among the participants were the subject models for MMT and body painting. A pre-test and post-test, with questions pertaining to knowledge in anatomy were conducted to analyze the impact of the module on improvement in participants� knowledge and skills. Additionally, participants were requested to respond to a questionnaire (15 items) on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Analysis of the pre-test and post-test scores revealed a significant increase (34.6%) in surface anatomy knowledge. Majority of the participants opined that the workshop was organized effectively (100%) and the modules helped them to become aware of the lacunae in their knowledge (100%). They also echoed that, they realized the need for continuous self-directed learning (100%) and responded that they would attempt to apply whatever they learnt through the workshop, to their clinical practice (96%). The overall satisfaction score reported by the participants was 9, on a rating scale ranging from 1 to 10 (1= very poor; 10= excellent). Conclusion: The CPD was well received by the participants, as evident from their feedback. The present study results demonstrated that the CPD had a positive impact on the participants� conceptions regarding the need for similar CPDs, as well as their active participation in future CPDs. Index Terms- CPD, Living Anatomy, Manual Muscle Testing, Body Painting.