Pursuing Competence Through Continuing Education

Health professionals have traditionally kept up-to-date with the latest medical and scientific knowledge and technologic advances in health care through a process known as continuing education (CE). However, comprehensive examinations of the current CE system have exposed weaknesses and vulnerabilities and raised questions about the relationship between CE and the professional competency of health professionals. This article reviews historical foundations of CE and its current state, and it projects future options of CE for health professionals.