Providing continuing education opportunities in the allied health professions

The need for continuing education is recognized by most health professionals. However, the opportunities for all health professionals to participate in continuing education activities are not the same. In an attempt to measure the factors that limit continuing education opportunities for allied health professionals in northern Illinois, a survey was taken of all allied health professionals in a nine-county area. This survey showed that cost is not as important a barrier as work conflict or continuing education credit in limiting allied health participation. It also indicated that employer-provided fringe benefits related to continuing education vary among the allied health disciplines and rarely cover the costs of continuing activities.