Continuing medical education providers often develop implementation strategies for clinical practice guidelines and can help facilitate their adoption. Their efforts will be more effective if they reinforce guidelines through local study groups, opinion leaders, clinical recall interviews, audits, and individualized feedback. (SK)

The issue of societal responsibility of the medical profession has three dimensions: (1) responsibility of individual practitioners; (2) responsibility of organized medicine; and (3) responsibility of academic medicine. Physicians have an obligation to participate in the political process where health care decisions will be made. (SK)

Staff communication patterns were observed during 13 open-heart surgeries to identify the transfusion decision makers. It was determined that targeting decision makers for continuing medical education would improve the quality of transfusion practice and increase the efficiency of continuing education. (SK)

A survey of Georgia physical therapists received responses from 74.7 percent. Results identified the following motivations for continuing education: knowledge, meeting licensure requirements, and advancing in the present job. (SK)

Five part-time family physicians attended a course in the patient-centered clinical method over three months. The small group format using role playing and videotaped examples emphasized understanding the patient's point of view and doctor-patient collaboration. (SK)

A survey of 22 state medical licensing boards requiring continuing education found that 14 accept attestations; 3 require lists of activities as well; and 17 audit to verify compliance. Common problems include poor recordkeeping and documentation as well as lack of time and staff to conduct audits. (SK)

Three experienced and eight novice physicians were asked to solve three problems. Results indicated that the ability to incorporate contextual information contributed to effective solutions. Experienced physicians tended to use more inclusive approaches, although both groups demonstrated premature diagnostic bias. (SK)

Practical Geriatrics, 10 continuing medical education programs, combine lecture, role models on videotape, problem-based learning, and commitment for change. Tests with four groups of community practitioners (n=83) demonstrated the program's effectiveness in inducing change and sparking participant enthusiasm. (SK)

Rapid changes make mandatory continuing education (MCE) for clinical laboratory professionals imperative. Recent well-designed studies refute arguments of ineffectiveness by showing how (MCE) alters professional practice. Problems other professions have had with licensure can be avoided. (SK)

Data from 13 of 50 physicians participating in continuing medical education refresher courses on hypertension and analysis of questions asked of medical information service databank were used to alter the delivery of refresher sessions. (SK)

A conceptual framework for continuing education has the physical therapist as the entry point in the process, within an environment of technological, cultural, and social change. Demographic variables related to barriers and preferences for continuing education. Other components include resources, adult education principles, regulations, and…

Invitations to 90 family physicians in Alberta elicited 56 participants in HIV infection management instruction. Based on continuing education research, the program targeted physicians known to have HIV patients, combined large group and one-on-one situations, and provided preceptored clinical experience. (SK)

The concept of self-directed learning is examined from five vantage points: definition, importance, categories, characteristics of learners and activities, and implications for continuing medical education and program planning. (SK)

Models of educational and social change may be goal centered or interaction centered. Changes in health care professionals and delivery systems favor an approach to change as a complex process of mutual shaping by multiple interactions among groups, individuals, and institutions. (SK)

A survey of 257 physical therapists received 192 responses indicating a preference for lectures or seminars for continuing education, in hotels/convention centers, during autumn/winter mornings. Orthopedic therapy was a favored topic. Barriers to attendance included cost, traveling distance, family obligations, lack of course information, and lack…