Assessing Educational Needs in Medical Practice: Guidelines for the CME Planning Committee Member.

The most relevant and effective continuing medical education activities are those which address carefully identified and prioritized learning needs. As a consequence, discussions and activities of CME planning committees frequently focus upon the identification and assessment of physicians' educational needs. The physicians who serve as representatives of learners on such committees are often new to the planning, educational terms, approaches, and techniques. The basic ideas, definitions and concepts outlined in this paper are given as guidelines for physicians who are not experienced in formal CME planning. These guidelines should enhance the effectiveness of a physician's participation in CME planning committee activities.