Continuing professional development in pharmacy.

OBJECTIVE To summarize a resource document that explains the concept and components of continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists, describes some of the drivers behind the reevaluation of current systems of continuing pharmacy education (CE), defines relevant terms, and outlines some experiences with CPD in selected countries that have already adopted the model. SUMMARY CPD is an approach to lifelong learning being discussed as a potential model for pharmacists in the United States. CPD does not replace CE, but quality-assured CE is an essential component of CPD. Evidence is mounting, however, that traditional methods of CE do not adequately meet the life-long learning and professional development needs of health care professionals (HCPs) and are not always successful in affecting practice behavior and improving patient outcomes. The Institute of Medicine has concluded that the education and training of HCPs is in need of major overhaul. CPD, which is based on sound principles and adopts educational strategies that have been shown to be effective, potentially offers a quality improvement to the current systems for pharmacist CE. CONCLUSION Interest in and support for the concept of CPD is growing. Case studies of successful implementation in the United States and other countries now exist. Further discussion on the implications of widespread implementation for pharmacists in the United States is needed.