Attitudes to Education in Sri Lankan General Practice

There has recently been increased recognition of the importance of continued learning for all providers of primary medical care. A variety of methods, as well as disappointment with their uptake, have been described. This paper reports part of a study to investigate the role of general practitioners in the provision of primary health care in Sri Lanka. Reading habits and attendance at medical meetings and courses are determined. The number of positive characteristics of good primary care are shown in those who have greater involvement in continuing education. Suggestions are made for the future development of continuing medical education (CME) in Sri Lanka in order to define and meet doctors' learning needs.Experience is the child of thought and thought the child of action. We cannot learn men from books. (Disraeli, 1826).