Measuring the educational needs of doctors for training in child health surveillance

The educational needs of general practitioners and other doctors wishing to provide child health surveillance are unknown. This study determines the needs of doctors prior to attending a course in child health surveillance by testing their knowledge of childhood immunization, and by self assessment of their skills and knowledge in different aspects of surveillance. A child health surveillance course must cover a core content to enable participants to reach a required standard. Assessment of educational needs allows greater emphasis and time to be given to certain aspects, thus making the course of greater educational value and more relevant to the participant.