Using a coalition arrangement for providing continuing education

Since 1981, the Minnesota Society for Medical Technology (MSMT) and the Division of Medical Technology, University of Minnesota, have collaborated in "The Coalition for Continuing Education of Laboratorians in Minnesota" to provide high-quality, organized, and ongoing continuing education programs for clinical laboratory personnel in the state. These programs have been half- and full-day workshops, of which 60 percent have been held outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The CE offerings are intended to be practical, relevant, and timely in the practice of laboratory medicine. The history of the Coalition--its goals, objectives, action plan, programs, and progress--is described. Both groups, MSMT and the University, have derived benefits from this cooperative arrangement that others may wish to consider in continuing education program planning.