Effectiveness of continuing education for health professionals: a literature review.

The 1970s saw the development of a mandatory continuing education system as a result of actions by state legislatures and professional organizations. Although the actions of these bodies imply a relationship between participation in continuing education activities and the maintenance of professional competency, such a relationship has never been clearly and consistently demonstrated. This article reviews studies of the effectiveness of continuing education in the health professions, notes weaknesses in the continuing education system, and suggests strategies for improving it.