The need for continuing professional development

Abstract

2 East African Journal of Ophthalmology August 2007 EDITORIAL The need for continuing professional development Continuing professional development (CPD) refers to the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives. Some would add that this must be done in an accountable manner hence the need to keep a log of CPD activities. In healthcare circles, some call this continuing medical education (CME). The term CPD may be preferable to CME as the former is more widely encompassing. Professional development for some medics may mean more than just more medical education. At different stages of your career or with changing interest, further career development may require leadership training, mentoring, finance and administration and others. Whichever the area, the key word is ‘continuing’.