Rapid development in new medical knowledge and accelerating change in methods of delivering health care have made continuing education an issue of critical importance. Professional obsolescence is inevitable unless physicians make a personal commitment to life-long learning and are provided with opportunities to fulfil that commitment. Continuing medical education is essential in every country if maximum benefit is to be obtained from the initial investment in basic education of physicians.
The specific task of the Expert Committee was to review the present situation, to draw up general guidelines for the organisation and administration of continuing education, to make recommendations for the application of educational planning and the modernisation of teaching methods in this field, and to suggest ways of motivating physicians to pursue their studies throughout their personal career.