The importance of life long learning.

T Gibbs; D Brigden; D Hellenberg

T Gibbs Professor of Medical Education and Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Kingdom of Bahrain.
D Brigden Visiting Professor of Professional Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Advisor for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, Mersey Deanery, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK,
D Hellenberg Professor of Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town.

Abstract

The concepts of evidence-based practice and clinical governance are slowly becoming commonplace in practitioners’everyday terminology. The concepts of accreditation, re-accreditation and external appraisal and validation loom in the not too distant future. However, are these terms so frighteningly divorced from the reality of standard family practice? Are practitioners life long learners by default, driven by an ability to maintain general health care? Or is life long learning something that practitioners must develop post graduation? In an attempt to answer these questions, this paper briefly discusses the historical development of life long learning and poses questions as to its applicability into daily practice. “Life well spent is long Leonardo da Vinci (SA Fam Pract 2005;47(1): 5-6)

Author Biographies

T Gibbs, Professor of Medical Education and Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Kingdom of Bahrain.

MBChB ( Liverpool), FRCGP, MMed Sci, ITLM, F F Hom.

D Brigden, Visiting Professor of Professional Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Advisor for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, Mersey Deanery, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK,

M Ed, M I Biol, ILTM.

D Hellenberg, Professor of Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town.

MBChB (UCT), MFamMed, MFGP ( SA).