Are terms important?
As an example review the terms used for substance use and addiction:
- Who wants DSM-V to move away from the terms abuse and dependence?
- Who wants to go with substance use disorders or perhaps addiction?
- Interdisciplinary, not just "medical" (which to most other health professionals means physicians). Coordinated care is the future of health care - we need coordinated health professional development.
- Focused on professional development (skills) not education.
- More typically an activity that usually provided by the place of employment to keep their staff up to date in the activities they perform as health care providers. Direct measurement of benefit/impact is thus more possible.
- It is a term that is evolving and flexible and not tied to specific solutions.
Reference
- Institute of Medicine. Redesigning Continuing Education in the Health Professions. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2009. Chapter 5. Pages 93-114 Available at: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12704&page=93