A scoping review of the use of behavioral theories in health professionals' continuing professional development research.

INTRODUCTION: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is critical for maintaining healthcare professionals' competencies and ensuring high-quality care. Despite its importance, the application of behavioral theories in CPD is limited. This scoping review maps the use of behavioral theories in CPD for health professionals, identifies gaps, and provides recommendations for future research. METHOD: Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR framework guided this review. Databases including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, APA PscyARTICLES and ProQuest Central were searched up to September 2024. Two independent reviewers screened and assessed the articles, with disagreements resolved through consensus. A total of 4,051 records were retrieved, 1,900 were screened after duplicates were removed, and 12 studies reporting the use of behavioral theory in CPD met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Of the 12 included studies, the Theory of Planned Behavior was the most frequently applied theory. Behavioral theories were often used superficially for questionnaire design or predicting CPD participation. There was limited use of comprehensive frameworks like the Theoretical Domains Framework and minimal representation of healthcare professions other than pharmacists. DISCUSSION: There is limited use of behavioral theories in CPD research and a lack of diverse study designs. Most studies applied behavioral theories superficially, without fully leveraging their potential to guide intervention development and evaluation. The findings align with previous research, suggesting a stronger theoretical foundation is needed to enhance understanding of CPD outcomes. CONCLUSION: There is a need for more rigorous research designs, greater theoretical justification, and broader inclusion of healthcare professions in CPD research. Future studies should adopt multi-theoretical frameworks and employ longitudinal and randomized controlled trial designs to better understand the impact of behavioral theories on CPD outcomes. Such advancements will help develop more effective CPD interventions, ultimately improving health professionals' performance and patient care.