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Volume 18 (4)
Volume 18, Issue 4, Fall 1998
J Contin Educ Health Prof 1998; 18(4):235-243
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Continuing Professional Education: Responsibilities and Possibilities
Margaret Brockett, EdD, BSR (OT)
Martha Bauer, BSc, BScOT
A b s t r a c t
Increased regulation of professional practice imposes obligations upon practitioners
to keep abreast of professional developments. One mandate of a professional association
is to offer opportunities for professional growth in clinical practice, education, and research
to its members. But are there others who should be involved? Rapid societal change has dictated
new constraints in the practices of health care practitioners, some legislated and others
imposed by institutional and economic considerations. At the same time, research and advances
in technology challenge health care practitioners to expand their knowledge and change their
practices in ways that go well beyond mere technical competence. A philosophical analysis
of professionalism places the responsibility for continuing education with the professional
practitioners, individually and in collaboration with their colleagues. The purpose of such
collaboration is to further professional goals and to ensure that professional competence is
maintained. Different organizations typically represent these interests on behalf of their members.
Professional ideals extend beyond the local workplace and clinical competence to
researching new initiatives that may more accurately reflect the complex needs of individual
clients. Professional constraints insist on standards of practice that are evidence based and
effective for the majority of clients with similar needs. A systems approach to these issues suggests
a framework that delineates organizational responsibilities and relationships; it recognizes
the different roles and expertise of each of the players and acts as a catalyst for ongoing discussion
and collaboration in the marketplace of continuing professional education.
Keywords: Professional Competence; Professional Development; Professionalism
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