Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Using a quasi-experimental research design to assess knowledge in continuing medical education programs
Ronald J Markert1, Sally C O'Neill, Subhash C Bhatia
1Center for Medical Education, Criss III Room 475, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
Continuing medical education (CME) programs significantly enhance healthcare professionals' knowledge. A study of nearly 700 participants demonstrated meaningful knowledge acquisition across multiple medical disciplines.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education Research
- Continuing Medical Education (CME)
Background:
- CME programs aim to improve knowledge, skills, clinical reasoning, and patient outcomes.
- This study specifically assessed knowledge acquisition in CME programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of CME programs in enhancing participants' knowledge.
- To quantify knowledge gain in various medical specialties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a randomized, separate-sample pretest/post-test quasi-experimental design.
- Assessed knowledge acquisition across nine selected CME programs.
- Compared knowledge gains between control and intervention groups.
Main Results:
- Significant knowledge improvement observed in six programs: Perinatology, Pain Management, Fertility Care 2, Pediatrics, Colorectal Diseases, and Alzheimer's Disease.
- The intervention group showed significantly higher knowledge acquisition than the control group (p < .001, effect size = .84).
- A total of 667 healthcare professionals participated.
Conclusions:
- The study provides strong evidence for meaningful knowledge acquisition in CME participants.
- The quasi-experimental methodology and robust sample size support the study's conclusions.
- CME is an effective tool for advancing healthcare professional knowledge.
More Related Videos
06:28E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
13:44Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
Experimental Designs
Crossover Experiments
Crossover designs are performed even with smaller sample sizes since the samples can act as their controls. These are better than simple randomized trials since patients are exposed to all the treatments.
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Repeated Measures, Cross-Over, Carry-Over, and Latin Square Designs
Cochran's Q Test