Prediction of Participation in Continuing Professional Education: A Test of Two Behavioral Intention Models

Abstract

Data from a survey of veterinarians was used to test the applicability of two competing models of behavioral intention to participate in a continuing professional education (CPE) program. The Triandismodel accounted for nearly 50% of the variance in intention to participate and proved to have greater predictive utility than the Fish be in and Ajzen model. Disciminant analysis revealed that 85% of the respondents were classified appropriately as participants and non-participants by the variables in the behavioral intention model. The results strongly support the hypothesis that variables external to thebehavioralintentionmodelindirectlyinfluencebehavioralintentionandparticipationbehavior. The study extends existing research by identifying essential social psychological variables for inclusion in the development of a future theoretical model of CPE participation. Implications for future research are proposed.