[The results of a questionnaire to determine needs (content, methods, technics) in continuing medical education]

A precodified questionnaire was applied to detect the needs of continuing medical education (CME) of 848 house officers; it covered personal background characteristics, identified needs as well as motivation and accessibility conditions to get involved in the process. After analyzing the data it was concluded that most of the physicians are interested in CME in order to avoid oblivion to keep, abreast of new scientific and technological advances and to increase self confidence. The detected needs were, in decreased order, as follows: pediatrics, general surgery, pediatric emergencies, orthopedics, traumatology and hospital administration. The most ashed areas wise therapeutics and pharmacology, diagnostic procedures and physiopathology. In relation to the teaching/learning activities they preferred courses, medical meetings and hospital sessions. Previously they had participated attending courses (79%), hospital sessions (54%), medical meeting (78%) and self study, mainly reading books and journals (98%).