Related Experiment Videos
Can outcome-based continuing medical education improve performance of immigrant physicians?
Orit Cohen Castel1, Vered Ezra, Mordechai Alperin
1Department of Family Medicine, Clalit Health Services, Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Israel. ocastel@zahav.net.il
Introduction:
Immigrant physicians are a valued resource for physician workforces in many countries. Few studies have explored the education and training needs of immigrant physicians and ways to facilitate their integration into the health care system in which they work. Using an educational program developed for immigrant civilian physicians working in military primary care clinics at the Israel Defence Force, we illustrate how an outcome-based CME program can address practicing physicians' needs for military-specific primary care education and improve patient care.
Methods:
Following an extensive needs assessment, a 3-year curriculum was developed. The curriculum was delivered by a multidisciplinary educational team. Pre/post multiple-choice examinations, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), and end-of-program evaluations were administered for curriculum evaluation. To evaluate change in learners' performance, data from the 2003 (before-program) and 2006 (after-program) work-based assessments were retrieved retrospectively. Change in the performance of program participants was compared with that of immigrant physicians who did not participate in the program.
Results:
Out of 28 learners, 23 (82%) completed the program. Learners did significantly better in the annual post-tests compared with the pretests (p <.01) and improved their OSCE scores (p <.001). Most program graduates (90%) rated overall satisfaction as very good or excellent. In comparison with nonparticipants, program graduates performed better on work-based assessments (Cohen's d =.63).
Discussion:
Our intensive, outcome-based, longitudinal CME program has yielded encouraging results. Other medical educators, facing the challenge of integrating immigrant physicians to fit their health care system, may consider adapting our approach.
Related Concept Videos
Methods of Documentation II: POMR
Methods of Documentation V: CBE
In CBE, healthcare professionals establish predefined standards of practice that define what constitutes...
Methods of Documentation VII: EMR
Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
Patient-centered Care
Guidelines for Writing Outcome
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by...