The pursuit of knowledge: continuing education under scrutiny

That physiotherapists recognise the need to pursue their professional knowledge is reflected in the large number of educational courses available. However, we know little of the involvement of the physiotherapy population in these programmes, or whether behavioural change is occurring as a result of participation. Many of the problems associated with continuing education are explored, particularly in the area of participation, motivation, isolation, and design of programmes. Some possible solutions are offered, together with suggestions for future programmes, designed to overcome these hypothetical problems. Above all, the author stresses the need for objective information as a pre-requisite for planning successful continuing education programmes.