46. Did the CME/CPD train leave with half the passengers? A needs assessment of Québec specialist associations' CPD units

This presentation reports on the results of a needs assessment conducted amongst the 34 Quebec specialist associations, which are accredited as CME/CPD providers by Quebec’s College of Physicians, in accordance with the Canadian Association of Continuing Medical Education’s criteria. In 2006, a mix of methods (survey, semi-structured interviews and program documentation review) were used to assess CPD units’ learning needs in the areas of CME and CPD, the extent to which they carried out a list of specific tasks associated to providers’ responsibilities, barriers encountered in meeting standards, and the kind of help needed to improve performance. Although CME/CPD fields have evolved considerably in the past 20 years, results indicate that few of the advances have made their way down to the associations. The majority still provides education in the form of traditional CME, where speakers talk about new developments in medicine. Whereas the systematic approach of CME is well integrated in most units, few go beyond perceptions in their needs assessments, use problem-based learning methods, enablers, reinforcement and outcome evaluations, or help specialists self-evaluate and reflect on their practice. These methods and approaches are believed to increase CME effectiveness. Most Canadian specialists get a large proportion of their CE from non academic medical organizations such as professional associations and learned societies. However, information available in the literature does not allow generalization of our observations to other organizations of this nature. Since non academic organizations are important CME/CPD providers, we propose that more attention be given on the way trainers are trained and innovations are shared in our CE system. What minimal knowledge and skills should be required of a CME/CPD professional today? Together with its affiliated associations and academic partners, the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ) has decided to tackle this important issue in the coming years. Olson CA, Tooman TR, Leist JC. Contents of a core library in continuing medical education: a delphi study. JCEHP 2005; 25:278-88. Davis DA, Thomson MA, Oxman AD, Haynes RB. Changing physician performance: a systematic review of the effect of continuing medical education strategies. JAMA 1995; 274:700-5. Grol R, Grimshaw J. From best evidence to best practice: effective implementation of change in patients' care. Lancet 2003; 362:1225-30.