OBJECTIVE: To examine the satisfaction and perception of participants with the current CME programme in Iran and eventually to re-design the programme accordingly. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study the attitude of participants in 28 CME programmes of Iran University, Iran, implemented between 2007 and 2009 were evaluated. A questionnaire was prepared (reliability coefficient of Cronbach's alpha = 0.97) consisting of seven main questions (Likert scale) related to attitude of participants about the quality of programme's content, lecturer teaching skills and participant's learning and satisfaction; three open questions about weaknesses and strengths of the programmes and their recommendations about it; gender, type and duration of different programme. Our participants (physicians, nurses, midwives, health care providers, dentists, clinical laboratorists and nutritionist) completed the questionnaire at the end of their CME programmes. RESULTS: According to total score of the questions > or = 28, only 47.7% believed that the CME programme was effective. Workshops were more effective than seminar sessions (61.5% vs 30.1%, p < 0.001). Total score of participant's attitude was significantly higher in male in comparison with female (24.6 +/- 0.48 vs 22.9 +/- 0.54, p = 0.02) and also significantly higher for workshops than seminars (28.2 +/- 0.21 vs 24.3 +/- 0.31, p < 0.001). Effective programmes (total score > or = 28) had significantly lower duration (18.1 +/- 0.39 vs 19.1 +/- 0.34 hours, p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: While short course workshops are preferred in our community, effective, dynamic, and interactive educational methods in CME programme should be considered in this area as well.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the satisfaction and perception of participants with the current CME programme in Iran and eventually to re-design the programme accordingly. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study the attitude of participants in 28 CME programmes of Iran University, Iran, implemented between 2007 and 2009 were evaluated. A questionnaire was prepared (reliability coefficient of Cronbach's alpha = 0.97) consisting of seven main questions (Likert scale) related to attitude of participants about the quality of programme's content, lecturer teaching skills and participant's learning and satisfaction; three open questions about weaknesses and strengths of the programmes and their recommendations about it; gender, type and duration of different programme. Our participants (physicians, nurses, midwives, health care providers, dentists, clinical laboratorists and nutritionist) completed the questionnaire at the end of their CME programmes. RESULTS: According to total score of the questions > or = 28, only 47.7% believed that the CME programme was effective. Workshops were more effective than seminar sessions (61.5% vs 30.1%, p < 0.001). Total score of participant's attitude was significantly higher in male in comparison with female (24.6 +/- 0.48 vs 22.9 +/- 0.54, p = 0.02) and also significantly higher for workshops than seminars (28.2 +/- 0.21 vs 24.3 +/- 0.31, p < 0.001). Effective programmes (total score > or = 28) had significantly lower duration (18.1 +/- 0.39 vs 19.1 +/- 0.34 hours, p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: While short course workshops are preferred in our community, effective, dynamic, and interactive educational methods in CME programme should be considered in this area as well.