It is linked to critical questioning of one's practice. Information sought is accurate and appropriate. Information is only one part of learning. More important is the process employed to identify it, to reflect on it, and to change behaviour accordingly. Self evaluation is built into the process.
Physicians assess how their current knowledge and skills meet the changing needs of their patients.
Physicians should be prepared to be self-critical in assessing how decisions made about integrating new information into practice have worked out. To enhance learning opportunities for physicians, they should facilitate, manage, consult and arrange. One way to express these principles is with the well-recognized reflective learning cycle . The learning process begins when a physician formulates a specific question about his or her practice. This is followed by a search for appropriate information, which is then interpreted as it applies to his or her specific practice.