RESUMO
1) To improve the quality of medical care and to ensure patient safety, physicians have the professional duty and responsibility to constantly study the newest medical knowledge and technology.<BR>2) The terminology for “continuing education”for physicians differs in meaning from that generally used to refer to “life-long education.”<BR>3) Continuing medical education (CME) in Japan is independently carried out by medical associations and by numerous academic medical societies. Present CME activities in Japan are reviewed, and CME in the United States is explained.<BR>4) Continuing professional development is introduced as a new paradigm of CME for physicians, created to improve the health-care system in the United Kingdom.<BR>5) To further improve CME for physicians in Japan, prospective issues are discussed. Establishment of a third-party organization that discusses, manages, and operates the CME system for physicians, is strongly recommended.