IDENTIFICATION AND RESTORATION OF LAPSED SKILLS FOR PRIMARY-CARE PROVIDERS

Objective: Individualized educational programs based upon structured c omprehensive evaluations have the highest opportunity for success in a ddressing the needs of physicians with lapsed skills. The purpose of t his article is to describe the Physician Prescribed Educational Progra m (PPEP), an integrated series of programs that incorporate a formaliz ed, structured evaluation strategy. Methods: The PPEP is structured to determine: 1)The presence of deficits which are amenable to education al remediation, 2) The likelihood that an appropriate educational prog ram can be developed, and 3) The structure of such a program. Results: Of 300 referrals, 100 have received evaluations thus far. A wide rang e of deficits were addressable, although there were specific exclusion s to participation. Conclusions: Administrators and others who wish to undertake these efforts should avail themselves of educational and ot her resources but should not expect rapid results. With careful planni ng and execution, these programs can provide appropriate and successfu l experiences for participants.