Lifelong learning for the family physician

Lifelong learning has undergone significant change over the past decade. The Institute of Medicine report “Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality” recommended the transformation of continuing medical education to go far beyond traditional lectures to include innovative educational processes, continual learning, and the direct application of medical education to clinical outcomes. These recommendations have led to changes in medical school and resident education and assessment and have served as the basis for Osteopathic Continuous Certification and Maintenance of Licensure programs. The purpose of this paper is to present new developments in lifelong learning including a discussion of ideal elements of lifelong learning, challenges to lifelong learning principles, and the role of technology in the process of lifelong learning.