Informal continuing interprofessional education (CIPE) can be traced back decades in the United States; however, interest in formal CIPE is recent. Interprofessional education (IPE) now is recognized as an important component of new approaches to continuing education (CE) that are needed to increase health professionals' ability to improve…

Demoralization is a feeling state of dejection, hopelessness, and a sense of personal "incompetence" that may be tied to a loss of or threat to one's own goals or values. It has an existential dimension when beliefs and values about oneself are disconfirmed. Numerous sources describe high rates of dissatisfaction and burnout in…

Introduction: Education in the health sciences increasingly relies on simulation-based training strategies to provide safe, structured, engaging, and effective practice opportunities. While this frequently occurs within a simulation center, in situ simulations occur within an actual clinical environment. This blending of learning and work…

Describes the implementation of a 1989 law that mandated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) education for Washington State health care workers. Makes recommendations for other states considering legislation and for educators and professionals involved in implementation of similar legislation. (JOW)

The concept of self-directed learning is examined from five vantage points: definition, importance, categories, characteristics of learners and activities, and implications for continuing medical education and program planning. (SK)

The typical retrospective approach to planning continuing professional education fails to close the knowledge gap of health professionals. The futurist literature is reviewed to determine new knowledge, role conceptions, related basic disciplines, and personal growth that nurses will need to master to avoid professional obsolescence. (Author)

A study determined the learning needs of office oncology nurses (n=290)as a critical first step in planning education programs. Participants ranked cancer-care topics similarly, regardless of age, background, or experience. The highest-ranked needs were clustered in the areas of cancer nursing practice, major cancers, and cancer treatment.…

Results of a study indicate that continuing education (CE) issues form an integral part of pharmacists' morale and demographic factors have impact implications for CE programers. Suggests that programers use statistical analysis to identify differences in issues that reflect demographic situations. (JOW)

A random sample of 661 U.S. and Canadian pharmacists (38 percent response) identified characteristics of pharmacy continuing education (CE) program clientele that might assist in marketing these programs. Attitude toward CE was related to sex, age, practice setting, and source of CE. Practice setting was of most value in targeting a potential…

A survey of 4,300 physicians received 1,014 responses showing that family physicians preferred local continuing medical education programs and minicourses. Specialists and institutional practitioners did not mind travel or multiday programs. Less experienced physicians favored more personalized marketing approaches. (SK)

Phone interviews explored the attitudes of 27 course directors regarding continuing medical education (CME) needs. The action-reflection practitioner-inquiry method involved physicians and CME leadership in joint discourse for planning CME programs. (Author/JOW)

Adult development forces the question of the role of continuing education as part of the background for more effective continuing education or as a way to develop understanding and support for health care professionals as they progress in their careers. (Author)

Continuing medical education needs assessment should be reconceived for a changing health-care environment. The physician-patient relationship is being changed by empowerment of health consumers and public policy concerns regarding the health care system. Needs assessment should focus on environmental scanning, identification of key forces, use of…

Provides an overview of personal and situational influences on health professionals' participation in systematic learning activities that reflect gaps between learner's current and desired proficiencies. Concludes with suggestions for planning, conducting, and assessing effective learning activities. (JOW)

Discusses education programs concerning human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in relation to methods of presentation, program content, and presentation considerations. Various resources available to those planning HIV education programs are described. (Author)