Current issues in mental health continuing education.

Data from two studies are presented and related literature is reviewed in an effort to identify current issues of concern to mental health continuing educators. These issues include: (a) the need to increase the level of participation of mental health professionals in continuing education programs, (b) the lack of stable funding sources, (c) the need to evaluate the consequences of continuing education program participation (d) the role of continuing education in the emerging process of recertification and relicensure, (e) the need for continuing education program content to reflect contemplated changes in the organization and financing of human service delivery systems, (f) the growing interest in multidisciplinary continuing education, and (g) problems in meeting the continuing education demands of a more broadly defined constituency.