Med Learning Group White Papers
Creating Communities of Care Through Continuing Education
By: Matthew Frese, Christina Gallo, Andrew Grzybowski, John Guerriero, Brianna Hanson, Lauren Welch, Gretchen Keefer, Nancy Lutz Paynter, and John Ruggiero.
Education is a tool used in the building and development of communities worldwide. Although learning directly affects an individual’s behavior, the context in which these behavioral changes occur is in a setting that involves other people. Research shows that the newfound knowledge obtained by the individual is associated with a wide range of positive outcomes for the community. These outcomes include, first and foremost, better health and wellbeing, as well as higher social trust. Each of these factors can be seen to play a direct role in the success and cooperation witnessed in many thriving communities today. Therefore, the proximate relationship seen between education and community collaboration must not be overlooked.
This white paper is designed to illustrate how CE facilitates partnerships in care and to encourage the CE industry to highlight collaboration as an educational outcome. As we navigate the changing healthcare landscape, collecting evidence of how CE brings together HCPs, patients, patient advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to work as a community to address the challenges of a specific disease will strengthen our role in achieving quality improvement in healthcare and ultimately, improved patient outcomes.