The right and obligation for the continuing medical education of physicians are defined by laws, subordinate regulations, and the acts of the Croatian Medical Chamber. Physician education is an ongoing process that does not end with the completion of medical school or specialization but continues through a program of continuing medical education. Physicians working in direct healthcare provision have the right and duty to continuously update and further develop their knowledge and skills in diagnosis and treatment. Physicians who do not work in direct healthcare provision also have the right to pursue professional development.
The principles of continuing medical education are:
- Accessibility of education to all, meaning the inclusion of all physicians in the continuing medical education program
- Uniformity of medical doctrine, meaning that medical knowledge must be the property of all physicians practicing healthcare at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels
- Scientific validity and modernity of continuing medical education, as well as awareness of the latest global advancements in medical science
- Competence of Croatian physicians according to global standards
- Freedom of choice in the continuing medical education process, meaning every physician’s ability and right to select the content and format of their continuing medical education
