Evaluation of a continuing education program in rheumatoid arthritis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Medical Education
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis management requires continuous updates in diagnostic procedures and patient care.
• Effective continuing medical education (CME) strategies are needed, especially for primary care physicians in community settings.
• Traditional CME programs may have limited reach and impact in smaller, remote communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a CME program in rheumatoid arthritis delivered by peer-nominated influential physicians.
• To assess the impact of this educational intervention on physician practice patterns and patient management in community hospitals.
• To determine if this model can improve primary care for rheumatoid arthritis patients and reduce reliance on academic faculty.

Main Methods:

• A CME program on rheumatoid arthritis was implemented in six community hospitals.
• Three hospitals served as intervention sites, using educationally influential physicians for content dissemination.
• Three hospitals served as control sites.
• Physician record audits (inpatient and outpatient) were used to assess changes in diagnostic procedures and patient management.

Main Results:

• Little change in physician practice was observed in the control communities.
• Substantial improvement in the utilization of diagnostic procedures and patient management was documented in the intervention communities.
• The use of influential physicians significantly enhanced the adoption of new knowledge and practices.

Conclusions:

• CME delivered through community-based, educationally influential physicians is effective in changing physician behavior in small communities.
• This approach can improve the primary care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• This model offers a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional CME programs, reducing the need for academic faculty involvement.