MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PILOT CONTINUING MEDICAL-EDUCATION PROGRAM

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