From continuing education to continuing professional education: the shift to lifelong learning in occupational therapy.

In occupational therapy the conceptual change from continuing education (CE) to continuing professional education (CPE) has been a gradual one. This change has paralleled the awakening of the field of ad ult continuing education to the unique needs for lifelong learning activities shared by individuals who are members of the various professions. The concept of CPE is now commonly applied to ongoing education that is necessary to maintain or improve competence in the professions. While CE is generally identified with the adult portion of the lifelong learning continuum (I, 2), CPE has specific content that is related to the participan t's area of expertise and occurs after entrance into the profession. Lifelong learning for the professional follows four stages: (I) high school diploma; (2) preparation for entry into the profession; (3) contact with clients of the profession; and (4) education after graduation to explore and study beyond entry-level requirements (3). Continuing professional education is identified with Stage 4 of this continuum. Continuing professional education in occupational therapy includes a variety of educational methodologies available to the learner, including instructorJacqueline L. Jones (top), MS, OTR, is Assistant Pr'ofessor, Department of Occupational Therapy, The University of Illinois at Chzcago, Chicago, IL 60680; and Martha Kirkland, OTR/L, is Director, Continuing EducatIOn Division, AOTA, Rockville, MD 20850.