Encouraging Lifelong Learning: An Educator's Perspective on Teaching and Learning for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

The rapid influx of new technology and changing reimbursement and healthcare business models challenge nuclear medicine technology (NMT) educators to reexamine the effectiveness of traditional teaching methods. As a generation of technologists can attest, the skill sets and competencies taught today will not be the requirements of tomorrow. The question arises, "how can educators prepare students and the profession for future knowledge capacity?" The concept of lifelong learning (LLL) emerged in the 1970s as a response to the global paradigm shift from an industrial society to a knowledge society. Given the current healthcare climate and the dynamic nature of the NMT profession, the understanding and development of LLL assessment models may benefit both teacher and student learning. The article discusses the theoretical framework of LLL and social learning along with a sampling of teaching assessments. These assessments employ a problem-based-learning (PBL) approach that integrates the concepts of LLL into an accountability driven social organization.