Educational skills and knowledge needed and problems encountered by continuing medical education providers

The objective of this study was to identify the training needs and difficulties encountered by continuing medical education (CME) providers in Quebec.

A questionnaire comprised of open-ended and closed questions was sent to 224 general practitioners across Quebec who organize CME meetings. To complement and validate the data, interviews were conducted with 18 physicians selected from this group, based on their years of experience with CME, and with the managers of two organizations involved in CME.

The questionnaire response rate was 54%. Quantitative analysis was used to identify the main training needs expressed by CME providers affiliated with the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners, namely, methods for identifying needs (74%), group leadership techniques (69%), basic principles in adult education (69%), and organization of CME activities (66%). The main problems encountered by respondents in their duties are stimulating and maintaining the interest and participation of physicians in formal CME activities (52%), identifying and meeting physicians' educational needs (32%), and motivating physicians to get involved in any kind of CME initiative (18%). The interviews highlighted the wide disparity in the approaches used by CME providers when planning activities and the failure of providers to pass on relevant information to their successors.

Based on the difficulties and the training needs identified, we were able to develop tools (structured training program, biannual newsletter, reference books, and resources) suited to the needs of general practitioners who organize CME activities.