Measuring the effectiveness of a pilot continuing medical education program.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a learner-centred, small group CME program intended to improve the clinical performance of family physicians identified as having serious practice deficiencies by the University of Manitoba's Clinical Assessment and Enhancement Program. DESIGN: Nonrandomized control trial in which data were collected from patients' charts and physician performance was evaluated. Differences in subjects' scores were tested at program entry and at 6 months and 18 months later using a two-way analysis of variance. SETTING: Family medicine practices in Manitoba. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen family physicians: five study subjects and 10 control subjects. The five study subjects were identified as needing CME to improve their clinical performance. The 10 control subjects were randomly selected. INTERVENTIONS: Participants attended a 10-session, learner-centred, small group CME program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical care, preventive care, charting, and the use of drugs were the variables assessed. RESULTS: Study subjects' initial scores were much lower than those of controls, but improved significantly during the CME program. CONCLUSION: A learner-centred, small group CME program can improve clinical performance.