Effectiveness of Continuing Medical Education considering participant’s idea in Iran University

Objective: To examine the satisfaction and perception of participants with the current CME programme in Iran and eventually to re-design the programme accordingly. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study the attitude of participants in 28 CME programmes of Iran University, Iran, implemented between 2007 and 2009 were evaluated. A questionnaire was prepared (reliability coefficient of Cronbach s alpha = 0.97) consisting of seven main questions (Likert scale) related to attitude of participants about the quality of programme s content, lecturer teaching skills and participant`s learning and satisfaction; three open questions about weaknesses and strengths of the programmes and their recommendations about it; gender, type and duration of different programme. Our participants (physicians, nurses, midwives, health care providers, dentists, clinical laboratorists and nutritionist) completed the questionnaire at the end of their CME programmes. Results: According to total score of the questions ≥ 28, only 47.7% believed that the CME programme was effective. Workshops were more effective than seminar sessions (61.5% vs 30.1%, p 0.001). Total score of participant`s attitude was significantly higher in male in comparison with female (24.6±0.48 vs 22.9±0.54, p=0.02) and also significantly higher for workshops than seminars (28.2±0.21 vs 24.3±0.31, p 0.001). Effective programmes (total score ≥ 28) had significantly lower duration (18.1±0.39 vs 19.1±0.34 hours, p=0.044). Conclusion: While short course workshops are preferred in our community, effective, dynamic, and interactive educational methods in CME programme should be considered in this area as well.