General Practitioner's Viewpoints about Continuous Medical Education Programs

Need assessment is can be applied as a tool for a better usage by managers and designers of Continuous Medical Education (CME) programs. Hence, this study was conducted to assess general practitioners’ viewpoints about Continuous Medical Education Programs held in Zanjan University of Medical Education.

This descriptive study was conducted on all general practitioners of Zanjan province (450 persons) but only 260 ones participated by filling in the questionnaires.

The motive to participate in CME programs in 46.2% of the participants was gaining credit points while updating scientific information was reported in 38.8% of them. 58.8 percent of the physicians believed that the effect of CME programs was moderate to high; 56.5% wanted 5 to 10 CME programs a year. The influence of CME programs’ place was high to very high according to 64.2% of the participants; 51.2 percent preferred weekends whereas 40.7% preferred daily four-hour programs. 58.8 percent were in favor of holding pre-tests and post-tests to determine the qualitative effect of the program.

According to general practitioners, CME programs could be more effective. So it is recommended to hold these programs at the weekends, one day a week and four hours a day. Five to ten programs are also suggested in a year