Why South African doctors need fresher ways to learn

Many medical professionals update their skills through structured learning called continuing professional development (CPD). In South Africa, doctors must complete CPD to keep their licenses valid. For years, journals have been one traditional way they do this. Between 2020 and 2025, a review looked at CPD articles in the South African Family Practice journal. Most of the papers focused on medical topics like infections and long-term diseases. What stood out was how little these articles encouraged online talk or digital interaction. The journal also celebrated its forty-five years of publishing. While clinical advice stayed central, the review argued that CPD in 2025 needs more than just text on a page. It should invite doctors to join webinars, comment on posts or try new mobile learning tools. Simply putting research online is not enough if no one can ask questions or share ideas.The study pointed out another gap: too few articles came from rural doctors or from those working in public hospitals. City-based specialists wrote most of what was published. This raises a bigger question—whose knowledge is being shared? If rural voices stay quiet, the whole health-care system misses out on practical insights from frontline workers. Lastly, the review wondered how many doctors actually read these articles. Without knowing who clicks, skims, or ignores the content, educators can’t tell if the material is helpful. Moving forward, journals might need to mix short videos, quick quizzes, and even social media polls to keep professionals engaged. After all, learning should be as dynamic as the patients doctors treat every day.