The View Points of General Surgeons Attending CME Programs Regarding their Educational Needs, in Tehran University of Medical Sciences

In the current educational system, considering the economic aspects and rational utilization of manpower is essential. In this respect, identifying educational needs, determining priorities and latest educational methods in Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs can provide the opportunity for optimum use of limited available resources. The aim of this study was to determine the educational priorities, effective educational methods and appropriate type of CME activities for general surgeons with respect to their viewpoints in Tehran University of Medical Sciences in the year 2002. A cross-sectional survey was carried out. The data collection tool was a self administered questionnaire whose validity was confirmed through content validity and its reliability by test-retest. Using census sampling method, 143 surgeons who had participated in CME Programs and received the final certificate, filled the questionnaires. The data analysis was performed by SPSS-9 software using frequency distribution. The most important educational priority was new methods of surgery (25.4%), and the most preferred educational method was lecture accompanied by question and answer (57.3%). Most surgeons preferred the length of the program to be less than three days (61.5%). The new methods of surgery which was mentioned as the first educational priority, is related to their job requirement. Lecture accompanied with question and answer was determined as their preferred educational method which could be due to insufficient knowledge about other educational methods. Therefore, it is recommended to use other educational methods in future CME programs and perform more composed programs compared to other educational programs.