Tumor conference: the role of continuing medical education

Tumor conferences and/or boards are established institutions in most hospitals. They function as forums for discussing cancer care. In an attempt to increase attendance of physicians at our tumor conference, CME I credit was granted for a six-month period. Data for a similar period during the prior year were chosen for comparison. Physician attendance as determined on a weekly basis and adjusted for holidays, etc., for the control and study periods was similar (14/control, 13.8/study). We not only did not increase attendance, but of those physicians present, only 42% bothered to sign in for CME I. We concluded that offering CME I credit did not stimulate physician attendance at the tumor conference. This is consistent with recent studies which show that few physicians list "credit" as a motivator of learning.