Continuing education is the most universally accepted means of addressing the problem of professional obsolescence over a working lifetime. As presently practised in the majority of cases, it is not of proven effectiveness and the search for better methods continues. This paper describes the categories of formal and non-formal continuing education, noting the role of professional societies and educational institutions in each. An alternative approach is proposed utilising the advantages of each category and the special expertise of both practitioners and educators. Joint endeavours between the two groups, through professional societies and educational institutions, offer a promosing approach, based on identified needs and structured, educationally sound activities, planned in response to those needs. The Western Australian Institute of Technology's Division of Health Sciences Centre for Advanced Studies is described as an example of the way such cooperation can be developed. It is through this sort of collaboration that problems in the implementation of continuing education can be addressed, and joint effort taken to develop effective solutions and achieve an effective programme of continuing education.
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