An evaluation strategy for rheumatology education.

The number of professional education programs in rheumatology is increasing at a rapid rate. All efforts to establish such programs should include a formal evaluation plan to assess their value. Clear definitions of program objectives and an understanding of the concepts of education program evaluation should be the basis of planning. We have developed an evaluation approach that focuses on education impact as the key measure of program benefits. Impact is measured in three critical areas: Knowledge, clinical performance, and professional behavior. The tools use in this approach include two questionnaires and a trained patient. Educators may use these measure together to generate an overall estimate of education benefits, or they can use them separately to evaluate specific program objectives. This theory-based strategy can serve as a general model for approaching the evaluation of professional education programs in rheumatology.