In healthcare, where every decision and action can have a direct impact on the lives and well-being of patients, the importance of continuing education cannot be overstated. Medical practice is evolving rapidly, with new discoveries, technologies and protocols emerging every day. In this dynamic context, continuing education becomes a vital necessity for healthcare professionals in order to keep their expertise up to date, improve their skills and ensure optimal care for their patients. It is an ethical and legal obligation, but also an ethical obligation if we stick to the Hippocratic Oath: “I will perfect my knowledge to best ensure my mission”.
The Negative Consequences of a Lack of Updating Medical Skills
The lack of continuing education among health professionals leads to several concrete problems. Studies, like the one conducted by Aribi and colleagues in 2018, show that practitioner skills can quickly become obsolete. This distances them from new medical and technological advances, increasing the risk of medical errors. For example, research by Abdelaziz et al. (2003) highlight how this lack of training can lead to the use of outdated methods, affecting the quality of care.
In addition, the lack of adaptability to changes in the sector is worrying. According to Perez (2009), new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine, require ongoing training to be properly integrated. Studies, such as that of Reis et al. (2022), highlight how this stagnation can reduce the quality of care, thus putting patients at risk. Furthermore, this situation negatively impacts job satisfaction, as demonstrated by research by Aribi et al. (2018), who establish a link between lack of training and the risk of burnout among healthcare professionals. In summary, it is crucial to invest in continuing training to maintain quality care and guarantee the competitiveness of professionals on the job market.
Legal and Ethical Risks Associated with Lack of Continuing Education among Health Professionals
Each medical practitioner is required to maintain and improve their knowledge by actively participating in continuing education programs, as stipulated in the Code of Medical Ethics in France (Bertrand & Lai Fat, 2006). This duty, also linked to the evaluation of professional practices, was mainly a moral obligation until it was formalized in legislation (Bertrand & Lai Fat, 2006). The codes of ethics of the various health professionals set obligations in terms of continuing training. For French doctors, this is article 11 of the code of ethics, or article R.4127-11 of the public health code which stipulates: “All doctors maintain and improve their knowledge in compliance with its obligation of continuing professional development” It is therefore an obligation for all doctors registered with the Order. Thus, a doctor who does not undergo continuing education may be exposed to several risks:
- Disciplinary sanctions: In many countries, such as Germany, professional orders or medical regulatory authorities impose continuing education requirements on doctors. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disciplinary action, such as fines, suspension, or even revocation of the medical license (Knetsch, 2019).
- Tort Liability: A doctor who is not up to date in his medical knowledge and skills is considered to have acted negligently if he makes medical errors. This could result in civil liability lawsuits from disgruntled patients, with significant financial consequences for the physician (Knetsch, 2019).
- Ethical violations: Failure to respect the moral obligation to train and maintain medical skills may be considered a violation of medical ethics, particularly with regard to the duty of care and kindness towards patients ( Reis et al., 2022).
- In quantitative terms, the obligation for the medical profession is to follow at least one training course per year. We are talking about a three-year obligation. Each healthcare professional must follow a continuing professional development course to fulfill their three-year obligation (Hababa, 2020).
How to solve this problem: Solutions and Recommendations for Effective Continuing Education in the Medical Sector
Despite its importance, participation in continuing education can be hindered by various obstacles that can come from a variety of sources that are worth overcoming.
Healthcare professionals are often very busy, making it difficult to find time for training. In addition, some do not see the point in further training or lack the motivation to do so. Training costs can also be high, making access to these programs difficult for some (Al-Sheikhly et al., 2023). Language and cultural barriers can also be a problem, as training resources are not always available in the appropriate language or culture. Additionally, the lack of recognition for continuing education efforts can discourage healthcare professionals. Finally, age can be a barrier, as older people may have difficulty adapting to new technologies or be less motivated to train (Al-Sheikhly et al., 2023).
In relation to these different issues, we propose the following solution approaches:
- Flexible hours are an option to facilitate participation in continuing education, including online or recorded sessions for increased accessibility.
- Employers can encourage participation in continuing education by integrating it into the work routine of health professionals and providing financial support. Grants and scholarships, based on merit or financial need, may be offered by government agencies, professional associations, or employers to cover the cost of participation. Training programs can also offer discounted rates to make education more accessible, and partnerships with businesses and institutions can provide additional funding (Abdelaziz et al., 2003).
- The use of technology, such as online platforms and mobile applications, also provides additional flexibility to complete continuing education programs anytime and from anywhere. Also, with features such as discussion forums and live chat sessions, it allows learners to connect and benefit from mutual support from their peers during their training journey (Reis et al., 2022).
- Recognition of the importance of continuing education in the careers of health workers, as well as incentives such as promotions or salary increases, can motivate professionals to invest in their professional development. Healthcare organizations can establish mentoring programs, where experienced professionals accompany learners, providing advice and sharing experience throughout their training (Al-Sheikhly et al., 2023).
- Healthcare professionals can use free or low-cost resources, such as free online courses, webinars, open educational resources, and free digital libraries, for their continuing education. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to negotiate with their employers for financial or logistical support, such as reimbursement of training costs, paid training leave or professional development allowances.
In short, continuing medical education concerns all doctors regardless of their mode of practice and constitutes one of the main tools for improving the quality of care. However, several obstacles can hinder their access to this crucial training. To overcome these challenges, solutions exist to create an inclusive and equitable work environment, supported by supportive human resources policies to help encourage participation by all. By investing in these initiatives and adopting a collaborative approach, healthcare institutions can ensure that their professionals are constantly trained and prepared to meet the complex challenges of modern medical practice, ensuring quality care for all patients.