CME Activity (cme + activity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Evaluating conflicts of interest in research presented in CME venues

THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 4 2008
Nancy L. Davis PhD
Abstract Introduction: There is much in the literature regarding the potential for commercial bias in clinical research and in continuing medical education (CME), but no studies were found regarding the potential for bias in reporting original research in CME venues. This pilot study investigated the presence of perceived bias in oral and print content of research findings presented in certified CME activities. Methods: Research presentations at two national primary care CME activities, where authors had self-reported potential conflicts of interest, were peer reviewed and monitored for perceived commercial bias. Blinded and unblinded peer reviewers' and monitors' analyses of bias were compared to assess whether knowledge of potential conflicts of interest affected perceptions of bias. Results: Knowledge of potential conflicts of interest appeared to increase awareness of potential commercial bias with regard to use of a single product in care and assurance that there was reasonable evidence to support the practice recommendation. A perception of the presenter's strong opinion regarding care did not appear to be influenced by knowledge of a potential conflict of interest. Discussion: While limited, by study design, this research detected subjectivity and variability in perceiving commercial bias within research findings presented in CME venues. Further study of these questions is required to guide the resolution of conflicts of interest in research and CME. [source]


Men's Sexual Health: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Print- and PDA-based CME

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2009
Gregory A. Broderick MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Personal digital assistant (PDA)-based continuing medical education (CME) activities have become widely available. Aims., To evaluate the effectiveness of print- and PDA-based CME materials in erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods., CME materials describing links between ED and comorbid medical conditions, effects of certain lifestyle modifications on ED, and treatment of ED with phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors were distributed as a print supplement and as electronic modules, viewed with PDAs. We evaluated how effectively these materials improved evidence-based clinical choices, using survey questions about case vignettes and comparing responses of CME participants (N = 85) and matched nonparticipants (N = 94). Main Outcome Measures., Effect size, measuring the difference in evidence-based clinical scores between participants and nonparticipants. Results., CME certificates were awarded to 3,557 participants (459 print, 3,098 PDA). Among survey respondents, significantly more CME participants recognized that ED was associated with greater risk for myocardial infarction (61% participants; 34% nonparticipants; P , 0.001) and was a strong marker for diabetes mellitus (37% participants; 9% nonparticipants; P , 0.001). In contrast, participants and nonparticipants both displayed a good understanding of the relationships of smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle with ED and of using PDE5 inhibitors to treat ED in patients with prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia; this likely reflects a good baseline understanding of these topics. Participants and nonparticipants each displayed a poor understanding of the recommendations regarding nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and PDE5 inhibitor use. Patient reluctance to discuss sexual concerns was perceived as the most significant barrier to optimal ED management. Conclusions., Given patient reluctance to discuss sexual concerns, future CME activities should focus on educating health-care providers and patients that ED is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Both print- and PDA-based CME on ED were effective; the large number of lesson completers suggests a trend toward on-demand, self-selected CME is positive. Broderick GA, and Abdolrasulnia M. Men's sexual health: Evaluating the effectiveness of print- and PDA-based CME. J Sex Med 2009;6:2417,2424. [source]


Internet point of care learning at a community hospital

THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 1 2009
Keith Sinusas MD
Abstract Introduction: Internet point of care (PoC) learning is a relatively new method for obtaining continuing medical education credits. Few data are available to describe physician utilization of this CME activity. Methods: We describe the Internet point of care system we developed at a medium-sized community hospital and report on its first year of utilization. We reviewed all completed Internet PoC report forms for 1 year to determine what percentage of our medical staff participated. Using a Likert-type scale, physicians were asked to rate the effectiveness of this method as a means for obtaining CME credit and for improving patient care. Results: From a medical staff of 355, 7 physicians (2%) completed an Internet PoC form in the first year of use. The number of completed forms ranged from 1 to 18 for each individual who used the system. On a 5-point Likert scale, physicians rated this method as follows: good answer found to question = 4.4, knowledge base was improved = 4.0, patient benefited from the information = 4.0, and good way to learn new information = 4.2. Discussion: A small number of physicians utilized this method for obtaining CME credit, but some individuals really embraced it. Those who used it liked it as a way to obtain CME and many felt strongly that it improved patient care. Other hospitals are encouraged to develop an Internet PoC reporting system for their medical staff. [source]


Learning to collaborate: A case study of performance improvement CME

THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 3 2008
Marianna B. Shershneva MD
Abstract Introduction: Performance Improvement Continuing Medical Education (PI CME) is a mechanism for joining quality improvement (QI) in health care to continuing medical education (CME) systems together. Although QI practices and CME approaches have been recognized for years, what emerges from their integration is largely unfamiliar, because it requires the collaboration of CME providers and stakeholders within the health care systems who traditionally have not worked together and may not have the same understanding of QI issues to close performance gaps. This study describes how an academic institution and a community-based primary care practice collaborated to enhance patient care in the area of hypertension. It offers lessons learned from a PI CME activity in the area of hypertension. Methods: This was an observational case study. Data were collected through interviews, observations of educational events, and review of documents such as learning logs, which were designed to: (1) help physicians learn and change, (2) satisfy requirements for CME credit, (3) serve as the basis for reimbursement, and (4) provide data for the case study. Results: Nine clinicians from one clinic completed the PI CME activity, achieved measurable improvements in their practice, and contributed to systems change. The study highlighted (1) the value of shared goals and agreement on the process among the participants, planners, and others involved; (2) the advantage of a multidisciplinary approach; (3) the importance of supporting clinicians' continuing motivation to participate; and (4) the need to allow sufficient time to enable the initiative to evolve. Discussion: PI CME required unprecedented collaboration between CME planners and QI stakeholders to enable change in clinical practice. [source]


Representational fluency in HIV clinical practice: A model of instructor discourse

THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 3 2007
Mary A. Banach PhD
Abstract Introduction: Clinicians treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients are expected to stay up-to-date with rapidly changing knowledge and practice. Continuing medical education (CME) programs are one source of new knowledge about HIV clinical management. Little is known about instructor-participant discourse in HIV CME programs and whether or how instructors model their decision-making strategies. Methods: Discussions about clinical cases between instructors and participants in attendance at a HIV CME program were videotaped, transcribed, segmented, and coded, focusing on the participants' questions and the instructor's responses. Results: Twenty-four case studies involving four instructors and 45 participants (54% infectious disease clinicians and 46% general practitioners) were analyzed. Five case studies are presented herein to illustrate how the instructors use the participants' questions and case studies to model cognitive processing and decision making in HIV treatment practice. Discussion: This article provides a model of interactive and practice-based teaching discourse in the context of an HIV CME activity. Throughout this discourse the instructors model the fluent use of representations for the CME learners and provide a safe environment where participants can share their misunderstandings. [source]


A new metric for continuing medical education credit

THE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 3 2004
Dr. Nancy L. Davis PhD Director
Abstract The two major continuing medical education (CME) credit systems for allopathic physicians in the United States are administered by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). This article explores the history of AMA and AAFP CME credit and its value to physicians and the patients they serve. Historically, CME credit has been awarded as hours for participation, but this approach is inadequate as a measure of CME and its impact on improving physician practice. New credit systems are needed to measure a CME activity by its value in bettering the physician's knowledge base, competence, and performance in practice. [source]