Related Experiment Videos
Current issues in continuing education for contemporary behavioral health practice
Allen S Daniels1, Douglas A Walter
1University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH, USA. allen.daniels@uc.edu
Administration and Policy in Mental Health
|September 20, 2002
Summary
Continuing professional development is essential for the evolving healthcare system. This study examines continuing education effectiveness and recommends improvements for the behavioral health workforce.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Workforce Development
- Continuing Professional Education
- Behavioral Health Professions
Background:
- The healthcare system's evolution necessitates enhanced professional development.
- Current continuing education (CE) models face challenges in effectiveness and relevance.
- Didactic learning activities show limited impact on professional skill enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of continuing education in healthcare.
- To analyze the effectiveness of current CE approaches.
- To propose recommendations for improving CE for the behavioral health workforce.
Main Methods:
- Review of CE objectives, formats, content, and sponsors.
- Analysis of CE requirements across disciplines and states.
- Discussion of forces driving change and current CE issues.
Main Results:
- CE requirements vary significantly by discipline and state.
- Emerging technologies offer new avenues for CE delivery.
- Existing CE content and financing models require reevaluation.
Conclusions:
- Five recommendations are proposed to enhance the process and content of CE.
- Future CE should integrate technology and address identified effectiveness gaps.
- Improved CE is critical for the competency of the behavioral health workforce.