title: Institute of Medicine recommends a continuing professional development institute for U.S. health professions.
abstract: A workforce of knowledgeable professionals is critical to the discovery and application of best health care practices; yet, today in the United States, the professional health workforce is not consistently prepared to provide safe, high-quality health care, even as the nation spends more per capita on health care than any other country. The Institute of Medicine recently recommended creation of a continuing professional development institute (CPDI) supported as a public-private initiative. The CPDI would coordinate and guide efforts that align: (a) content and knowledge among health professions; (b) regulation across states and national continuing professional development (CPD) providers; and (c) the financing of CPD, not only for improving professional performance and patient outcomes, but also for strengthening the scientific basis for the practice of CPD. With a strong scientific foundation, the community of health professions educators and regulators may advance the development of health care practitioners, enhance the discipline of CPD, and improve health outcomes for patients.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Mazmanian
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D015969:National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division; D014481:United States