Planning for continuing education: goal setting and self-assessment.

The American Dietetic Association placed the responsibility for professional growth and development on individual dietitians when the membership voluntarily accepted registration in 1969. One goal of registration was to improve individual competency of dietitians through their participation in continuing education activities. Such participation, to be effective, requires self-assessment of needs, formulation of goals, and the setting of priorities for learning. A recent study revealed, however, that only 20% of registered dietitians desire to assess their own learning needs and to plan their own continuing education experiences to meet those needs. This discrepancy between the goals of the professional association and the behavior of individual members may be a result of members not knowing about ways to plan effectively for their own professional growth. The "Well-Dones" method is presented as a tool for dietitians to use in planning their own learning by determining needs, setting goals, and assessing achievements. Professional concern over the improvement of competency through continuing education should be a matter of importance for each registered dietitian.