[Lifelong learning--how do physicians learn?]

The postgraduate training of doctors depends on their self-directed learning activities. Traditional continuing medical education has a limited impact on their clinical behaviour. The authors review the most relevant models and concepts of adult learning for continuing medical education, and personal and environmental factors that influence the quality of the learning. Doctors learn best when they recognise the need to learn and perceive what is to be learned as relevant to their practice. Continuing medical education should meet the doctors' educational needs by presenting a variety of learning options to suit their personal learning styles.