Introduction:

In the last decade, there has been a conceptual and documental evolution that ranges from continuous medical education and continuous professional development to competence-based professional development.

Objective:

To review the updated theory about continuous medical education worldwide, its evolution and the possibilities for its improvement in Cuba.

Methods:

A bibliographic review was carried out in the databases MedLine, PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS, using the descriptors educación médica continua [continuous medical education] and desarrollo profesional continuo [continuous professional development]. We prioritized international medical education journals and articles within the last five years. We also reviewed the website of the World Federation for Medical Education.

Results:

Continuous and permanent medical education is a principle of medical education. It evolves from continuous medical education to continuous professional development, and then to continuous competence-based professional development and continuous interprofessional education. The conceptual evolution in this area is shown, and competence-based medical education is presented with a focus on its relation with continuous professional development. The characteristics are mentioned corresponding to effective continuous medical education and continuous professional development, which could be applied in our setting.

Conclusions:

The need to perfect and improve the new economic and social model of the country has required new ministerial and state resolutions concerning continuous professional development of the country's workers and professionals, including those in the health sector. Updating concepts and practices in this respect is required in order to be in tune with international trends.

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