Measuring the effectiveness of a pilot continuing medical education program

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.