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On Continuing Education

I'm writing this letter just 1 week after returning from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) convention in Boston. It was a hectic, crazy, and yet fruitful learning experience for me. I'm sure you can say the same if you attended. This was my 25^th convention; I'm one of those nerdy guys who still likes to attend the convention and learn new information. Attending the convention also allows me to connect with friends I sometimes see only once a year. During convention this year, one of those friends inquired about my experiences as the new editor for this journal. "Do you like the position? Is it time consuming?" I really had no hesitation at all when providing my answers: yes and yes. Although the position can be demanding of one's time, I am, thus far, very pleased and humbled that I was offered the opportunity to serve as editor (but feel free to ask me the same question 2 years from now). At this relatively early stage of my editorship, I'm fascinated with what I'm learning about new areas of study (at least for me), the editorial process, and my own writing skills. Indeed, every day I learn something new. I feel I'm in a constant state of continuing education.

My friend's question made me reflect on what it means to continue one's education. It has been a "few" years since I completed the last of my degrees, and yet I find I continually want to know more, to better understand what I thought I knew (but didn't), and to delve into new areas of our field where I never expected to go. I'm lucky to feel that way, and I thank my mentors in this field for instilling the love of learning in me.

I contrast this feeling with a conversation I had at the convention. After one of my presentations, an attendee said something to the effect of the following: "I just don't have time to read the journals. And when I do, they don't tell me what to do." Now, when an editor hears these comments, it's like a knife into his or her heart (well, that's overly dramatic, but you know what I mean). In all honesty, when I hear these types of statements, I become frustrated for a number of reasons. First, I believe that anyone can find an article of interest. Hopefully, that person can find it in this journal. If not, surely there is some journal that will contain an article or two that peaks his or her interest. A second reason these types of statements frustrate me is because I don't understand how one can not continue one's education. Our field has changed dramatically since I first got into it, and it continues to change, practically as I write this letter. It seems vital to me that all of us continue to update ourselves in the areas of this field in which we practice.

Two other reasons for my frustration are a bit more general. First, I wonder about individuals who don't read their profession's literature and question how they would react if they heard their physician say that he or she didn't read new findings in the medical literature. My guess is that this would be an uncomfortable situation. Second, it seems that most of us are pretty Internet savvy. It's increasingly easy to locate scientifically based articles that inform speech-language pathologists and audiologists about the latest findings that directly, or indirectly, impact what is done clinically. ASHA journals are all online at this point. In fact, by 2010, that will be the only place to access them. Google Scholar and other search engines provide other means to access scholarly papers. Access to scientific literature is literally at our fingertips.

All of this makes me wonder: Why doesn't everyone read their journals, or at least the articles that cover topics pertinent to their client populations? I know I hear colleagues say they're too busy in their work setting; I can understand that. I mostly read my professional journals and articles outside of my workday. However, I hear colleagues who say they're too busy to read journal articles state that they read other texts outside of their jobs. As an editor, I'm truly interested in understanding what might prevent some colleagues from reading their journals. Or, conversely, I'm interested in what will attract more of my colleagues to read scientific and professional papers either during or outside of their workday. If you have an idea, my e-mail address is below. I would appreciate hearing from you.

Getting off my soapbox now, I realize that this column is really preaching to the choir. Quite often, I hear readers like you discuss what you've learned from articles such as those in this issue, and how they have added to, modified, or changed what you do on a daily basis in your school or clinical setting, university classroom, or research lab. That is indeed exciting. My hope is that others will take your lead and read journal articles. It seems to me that the way to ensure this will happen is for you to take a more active role in encouraging others to follow your lead. Why not ask your colleagues to read an article you've read so that you can discuss the results with them? I know that I seem to have the greatest effect on others' reading when I'm excited about the content and want them to discuss it with me. Set up a journal club (http://www.asha.org/about/continuing-ed/self-direct/learn_earn_journalstudy.htm) that brings together colleagues for education and social interaction. Remind your colleagues that a quick and easy way to earn their continuing education requirements can be by reading journal articles (http://lshss.asha.org/misc/ceinfo.dtl).

I mentioned earlier that I was a nerdy guy because I liked attending and learning from the ASHA convention. After the reflection required for writing this column, I'm taking that back. I don't believe that one is a nerd for wanting to learn more about one's profession. As a reader of this journal, you certainly aren't. In fact, I believe you can be a leader. You can guide others to continue their education by reading their professional journals. It's working for you; it can work for them. I applaud you for staying current and I support you in helping others do the same. In doing so, I believe we will improve the health of the profession and better serve our clients and their families.

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This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Apel, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Apel, K. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?