Abstract
Background: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential for lifelong learning of medical professionals, enabling them to maintain competence, refine skills, and stay updated with advancements in medicine. However, medical students in Pakistan face significant challenges in engaging with CPD activities due to resource constraints, systemic gaps, and socio-cultural barriers. With Pakistan’s doctor-to-patient ratio standing at approximately 1:1,200— far below the WHO-recommended standard of 1:1,000—the need for effective CPD programs is critical to address the growing demands on healthcare delivery. Objectives: This study aimed to identify and analyze the personal, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers affecting CPD participation among medical students at a public sector medical university in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed to MBBS students across all five years of study. A total of 102 students participated, providing data on demographics and perceived barriers to CPD engagement. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to analyze the data. Results: The findings revealed that 90.2% of students reported a moderate to strong impact of various barriers on their professional development. Key challenges included time management issues (95.1%), lack of motivation (89.2%), and financial constraints (53.9%). Additionally, gender-specific challenges were reported by 55.9% of participants, with a significant association between gender and socio-cultural barriers (p < 0.001). Institutional support was perceived as inadequate, with only 42.2% of students finding CPD opportunities accessible. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve CPD accessibility and effectiveness among medical students in Pakistan. Addressing these barriers through flexible, affordable, and inclusive CPD programs is essential to promote the professional growth of future healthcare providers and improve healthcare outcomes in the region.