The evaluation of continuing medical education

To use the limited time available for the most benefit, practising doctors need presentations of maximal educational effectiveness. This effectiveness can be assessed by methods which are practical and acceptable. We can evaluate the educational process itself by assessing each presentation using selected criteria, by examining the appropriateness of programme content, and by obtaining the opinions of participants. We can evaluate changes in the knowledge of participants by seeking opinions from them and by building evaluation into educational sessions. We can look at patient-outcome in relation to education by seeking the opinions of informed observers and by building evaluation into clinical work.