Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs Efficiency and Needs of General Practitioners (GPs) (Kermanshah 2003)

Introduction: Continuing medical education (CME) is part of the process of lifelong learning that all physicians undertake. It has traditionally viewed by the medical profession in terms of updating their knowledge. Nowadays, in order to practice effectively in the National Health System, doctors need skills that extend their medical knowledge beyond updating. Educational need assessment is the most important base of planning CME program. The aim of  this study was to determine the relationship between CME program and skills need of GPs.

Materials & Methods: 208 GPs working in Kermanshah – Iran were selected using random systematic sampling method. Validity and reliability of questionnaire were checked before using for data collection.    Skill needs arranged in 12 questions and divided into diagnostic, therapeutic and health care needs sections. Responses ranking were designed in five levels based on Likert Scale.

Results: 70% of general physician was male and 30% was female. More than 70% of participants been attended one CME program during last two years. Only 21% of CME programs were completely satisfied diagnostic needs, 25% therapeutic needs and 16.8% health care needs of attended GPs.

Conclusion: The study showed that CME program conformity with skill needs of GPs was intermediate.  It is necessary to revise CME programs, which has been done many years ego.  The challenge for CME providers is to provide programs to cover skill needs for promoting community-based health view in general practitioner on the subject of improving community health and patients’ treatment rather than repeating traditional programs.