Approaching professional development

Abstract

Professional practice is more of an art than a science, and professional development needs to provide practitioners with opportunities to explore and understand the personal theories underpinning their practice. The work of Schön and Eraut is reviewed to clarify the nature of professional knowledge and its acquisition. A central feature of professional education must be the development of professional judgment. This will require a partnership of equals between academics and practitioners. Two examples are given from continuing education, though the principles apply to the whole continuum of health professional development.