Twenty-two members, drawn from different sectors of health service and educational systems of seventeen countries, comprised a working group of the World Health Organization (WHO) which was organized to consider the development of national systems of continuing education for the health professions. The working group first set out to define continuing education and health personnel. The concept of competence as the purpose of continuing education was then discussed, and existing patterns of continuing education in all the countries were reviewed. The working group accepted the systems approach to continuing education as the most advantageous and endorsed a model which contains a seven-step process. (These seven steps include identifying problems, establishing standards, analyzing performance, determining causes, establishing educational programs, reviewing performance, and moving or recycling.) To accomplish this approach, the group delineated several organizational and educational tasks. In conclusion, the working group reviewed and endorsed the specific recommendations made to the WHO in 1973 by the Expert Committee on Continuing Education for Physicians. (BM)