Do lifelong learning and revalidation ensure that physicians are fit to practice?

Policy-makers must consider how to fund lifelong learning. Here the provision of training must be separated from its regulation. Funds for regulation come either from governments or individual professionals (often via their professional bodies). Funds for training can also come from other sources, most often the pharmaceutical industry. As this raises the possibility of the industry driving the content of continuing professional development, governments should consider establishing an independent regulatory body to set the agenda in accordance with the needs of the health system.