Continuing Medical Education and Efficiency of the Health Professional

Continuing professional development and a commitment to lifelong learning are integral components in enhancing the ability and proficiency of organizations and individuals to engage in sustained development of their services. Additionally, changes can happen at any time due to varying factors. Therefore, learning is very imperative in improving nurses¿ abilities to address and solve problems (Somjai Nokdee 2007). Problems are also good stimulators for learning. ¿Learning by problems¿ is becoming widely utilized around the world in educational institutions, especially in the medical and nursing field. In order for professional development to occur in nursing clinical practice, proficiency in lifelong learning and the ability to reflect on every aspect of nursing practice are essential. Lifelong learning and reflective practice are skills central to the self-directed learning process and therefore, self-directed learning is an effective professional development tool.