CME aims to provide lifelong learning for physicians through education, management training, and skills development like communication and team building. However, traditional didactic CME courses have little impact on changing physician performance or patient outcomes. More effective CME includes identifying educational needs, setting objectives, focusing on relevant practice issues, allowing interaction, and providing opportunities for practice and feedback. CME programs at KFSH include journal clubs, debates, case presentations and discussions, and skills-based sessions to allow for more effective learning.

1. CME & KFSH
Dr. Shad Salim Akhtar
MBBS, MD, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FACP (USA)
Medical Director
Chairman CME

2. CME - Definition
Education after
certification and
licensure
Davis D et al. BMJ 2003; 327:33

3. CME - AIMS
 Lifelong learning process
 Develop skills needed which include
 Education
 Management
 Training
 IT
 Audit
 Communication
 Team building
Editorial BMJ 2000; 320:393

4. Why Do Physicians Learn?
Patient problems
Revalidation
Recertification
Ego
Juniors ask questions
Patients’ demands (internet)
Pharmaceutical agencies
Shannon S. The Lancet 2003; 361:266

5. Research states that
physicians have 3 to 5 clinical
questions per day that remain
unanswered.
The answers are out there,
…..

6. Why CME BMJ August 2001

7. CME - Flaws
Primarily teacher and learner driven
Does not usually address population
health questions
Driven by CME credit hunting
Disconnected from actual practice
Davis D et al. BMJ 2003; 327:33

8. CME-Is It Effective?
Bums on the seats
Pursuit of credits
No relation to real outcomes
No relation with professional
development
Clair du Boulay BMJ 2000; 320:393

9. Is Traditional CME Effective?
 Since 1970 evidence available that CME is
ineffective
 Does not improve physician performance
 No effect of patient health outcome
 Didactic CME courses have little effect on guideline
adoption
 Opportunities for practice and feedback enhance
change
 Multifaceted interactive interventions better
Journal of Med Internet Res 2003; 5:e20

10. Changing Practice
 Physicians becoming aware of a gap in
knowledge or skill
 Learning changes the practice not
teaching
Shannon S The Lancet 2003; 361:618

11. Reasons for Information
Seeking
Varies from stage to stage
Complex changes in practice
Specific patient problem
Higher qualifications
Higher remuneration
Peer challenge
Journal of Med Internet Res 2003; 5:e20

12. What Should CME Program Do?
 Identify educational needs
 Have specific objectives
 Focus on important issues relevant to
participants’ practice
 Provide evidence based information
 Allow participant interaction
 Give opportunity for practice and feedback
 Provide mechanisms for program follow up
Shannon S The Lancet 2003; 361:618

13. KFSH - CME
 Journal clubs
 Debates
 CPC
 Case presentations
 Departmental activities
 Recent advances
 Practice based sessions