PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Networking: A strategy for the professional development and support of health educators

THIS paper explores the potential of networking for the professional development and support of health educators, particularly holders of the Certificate in Health Education. The analysis is based on a study of six networks which have contrasting structures, pur-poses and organisation, and highlight network mem-bers ’ perceptions and experiences. Finally, it offers some evaluation of the role of networks in terms of their functions, membership patterns, role allocation and organisational forms. EARLY m 1988, the University of Keele, funded by the Health Education Authority, embarked on a study of networking in the professional development and sup-port of health educators. This study formed part of a research and development project, which had the fol