Beyond residency: ‘The imperative of lifelong learning in medical practice’

Abstract

The CPD landscape is rapidly evolving and may be affecting patient outcomes. This also poses challenges to healthcare professionals, some of whom are experiencing a lot of stress leading to burnout. Medical and residency training are very structured and the importance of CPD occurring in a non-structured setting to prevent professional stagnation cannot be overemphasized. The need for lifelong learning post- residency, which encompasses a much longer period until retirement, is underscored hence the need for a cultural shift. Adult learning needs emphasis and a focus on addressing individual needs is required. Reasons for physician reluctance and inertia towards CPD such as lack of time, self-sufficiency, occasional journal reading, and skepticism need ongoing exploration. Comprehensive measures, including integrated EMR designs, personal learning projects, practice updates, reward systems, physician surveys, equal weight for formal and informal CPD, and promoting a learning mindset are proposed.