[Physicians and continuing medical education. The results of a survey carried out in Catalonia].

In order to learn about opinions, behaviours and needs of continuing medical education (CME), a telephone survey was carried out with a random sample of 1,001 physicians of Catalonia. Books and journals (67.7%; IC: 64.8-70.6) are the most frequent training methods used, much more than the courses and seminars (11.5%; IC: 9.5-13.5)--which are used more often by generalists than specialists--and clinical sessions (9.2%; IC 6.6-12.4). A high proportion (59.2%; IC: 56.1-62.2) do CME out of their workplace, specially general practitioners (66%; IC: 61.5-70.5). Most participants (74.7%; IC: 72.0-77.4) consider that the main objective of CME is to increase their level of knowledge. Those who argue that CME should not be mandatory are mainly general practitioners (58.9%; IC: 54.2-63.6) of which a significant number work in private practice (63.5%; IC: 60.5-66.5). 64.7% (IC: 61.8-67.7) are in favour of cost-free CME. The majority, 80% (IC: 77.4-82.4) believe that CME has to be included in the work timetable: of the physicians who support this point, the majority work in hospitals while only a few work in private practice. Some of the achieved findings could be explained by generational, training and work place differences; as well as the increasing bureaucratic elements in the profession.