This document outlines a project on continuing medical education (CME) programs presented by Bhavik Amin. It includes an introduction to CME programs, a review of relevant literature on effective CME techniques, objectives of CME programs, the research methodology used, an analysis of survey data collected from 36 doctors, findings from the data, suggestions to improve CME programs, conclusions, strengths and limitations of the study, and a bibliography. The project aimed to understand doctors' expectations of CME programs organized by pharmaceutical companies.

1. BHAVIK AMIN
EXAM NO :05
B PHARM SEMESTER 8
KBIPER
PROJECT GUIDE
MRS. MALLIKA BABU
IN-CHARGE OF DEPARTMENT OF MBA(PHARMA)
KBIPER, KSVV,GANDHINAGAR

2. FLOW OF PRESENTATION
Introduction to CME program
Review of literature
Objectives of CME program
Research methodology
Data Interpretation and Analysis
Findings
Suggestions
Conclusions
Strengths and Limitations
Bibliography

3. Introduction about project
Definition and overview
• Both the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the
American Medical Association define CME as “educational activities which serve to
maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and
relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the
profession”.

4. CME represents that body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the
profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the
provision of health care to the public.
Continuing medical education (CME) refers to a specific form of continuing education (CE) that
helps those in the medical field maintain competence and learn about new and developing areas of
their field.
These activities may take place as live events, written publications, online programs, audio, video,
or other electronic media.
CME activities are developed and delivered by a variety of organizations, including:
Professional Associations
Medical Education Agencies
Hospitals
Educational institutions, including universities, medical and nursing schools.

5. Characteristics of CME program
Focus: Physician competence, performance, and patient outcomes.
Format: Variable, emphasis on principles of adult learning
(E.g. interactive, relevant to practice techniques).
Funding: Industry decreasing under influence of AAMC, IOM, Macy
Foundation and Pharma.
Evidence of effectiveness: CME-effective in acquisition of Knowledge, skills,
and performance, but low-quality evidence.
Emergence of performance improvement CME (PI-CME).

6. Review of literature
CME techniques that are more effective
Interactive learning.
Sequenced sessions (CME as a “campaign”, not just one-time only sessions).
Accurate Needs Assessment (e.g. based upon measured practice gaps
compared with national guidelines)
Experiential learning (based upon an individual’s or group’s practice, e.g. PI-
CME projects).

7. Meaning of CME: Continuing medical education is that process
within the scope of family medicine which provides information and
activities designed to maintain and improve the ability of the family
physician to provide high quality patient care. This educational process
encompasses all the areas usually encountered by the family physician
necessary to carry out these responsibilities.
The benefits that are gained from a CME course for physician
It makes sure that their personal satisfaction from the job they are doing is
maintained without any interruptions.
With such courses they can get new skills and also these helps the physician to
become more efficient in their work. And they can work better than ever.

8. Objectives of CME program
To provide educational activities to physicians and other healthcare professionals that
reinforce basic medical knowledge.
To introduce new ideas, skills and technology and spread research findings in order to
improve the quality of healthcare that is delivered by the participants in CME programs.
To provide lifelong learning opportunities to physicians and other health care providers
that aim to increase competence, enhance practice performance, and improve the health
care status of patients.
To suggest ways to make CME more doctor friendly.
To understand the frequency needed for CME program.
To understand the doctor’s expectation from CME program.

9. Research methodology
DATA COLLECTION SOURCES
PRIMARY DATA
Primary data is gathered from fieldwork (by using questionnaire).
Duration of Study - 3 months
Target Population - Doctors
Sample Size - 36
Sampling Technique - Convenience sampling
Sampling Unit - Ahmedabad

10. SECONDARY DATA
•Secondary data is gathered from internet & books.
•It is valuable source of new ideas that can be explored later through
primary research.
Research Design: Conclusive Type

11. Analysis and Data Interpretation
1) CME programs helps in improving our practice.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
55.56 % Doctors Strongly Agee that CME Programs help in improving their
practice.
38.88% Doctors agree that CME Programs help in improving their practice
5.56% Doctors are neutral.

12. 2) I prefer paid CME programs than organized free by companies.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
13.88 % Doctors strongly agree to prefer with paid CME programs than organized free by
companies.
38.88% Doctors agree to prefer with paid CME programs than organized free by companies.
33.33% Doctors are neutral in their opinion.
13.88 % Doctors disagree to prefer with paid CME programs than organized free by
companies.

13. 3) I prefer CME programs for a short duration.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors
30.55% doctors strongly agree that CME programs should be for a short duration.
66.67% doctors agree that CME programs should be for a short duration.
2.77% doctors are neutral in their opinion.

14. 4)I prefer online CME programs.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
13.88% doctors strongly agree to prefer online CME programs.
16.66% doctors agree to prefer online CME programs.
38.88% doctors are neutral in their opinion towards online CME programs.
25% doctors disagree to prefer online CME programs.
5.56% doctors strongly disagree to prefer online CME programs.

15. 5)CME motivates us to keep up-to date with medical advances.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
61.11% doctors strongly agree that CME motivates them to up-to date with medical
advance.
13.33% doctors agree that CME motivates them to up-to date with medical advance.
5.56% doctors are neutral in their opinion.

16. 6)CME programs at some popular resorts or holiday spots attract me.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
16.66% doctors strongly agree that CME program at some popular resorts or holiday spot
attracts them.
13.88% doctors agree that CME program at some popular resorts or holiday spot attracts them.
41.66% doctors are neutral in their opinion.
13.88% doctors disagree that CME program at some popular resorts or a holiday spot attracts
them.
8.33% doctors strongly disagree that CME program at some popular resorts or a holiday spot
attracts them.

17. 7)Frequency of CME programs should be increased.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
30.55% doctors strongly agree that frequency of CME programs should be increased.
27.77% doctors agree that frequency of CME programs should be increased.
27.77% doctors are neutral in their opinion.
11.11% doctors disagree that frequency of CME programs should be increased.
2.77% doctors strongly disagree that frequency of CME programs should be increased.

18. 8)Speakers should be international level for CME programs.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
19.44% doctors strongly agree that speakers should be international level for CME
programs.
22.22% doctors strongly agree that speakers should be international level for CME
programs.
33.33% doctors are neutral in their opinion.
19.44% doctors disagree that speakers should be international level for CME programs.
5.55% doctors strongly disagree that speakers should be international level for CME
programs.

19. 9) Enough materials / hard copies are not provided to doctors after CME
programs.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
19.44% doctors strongly agree that enough materials/hard copies are not provided to
them after CME programs.
30.55% doctors agree that enough materials/hard copies are not provided to them after
CME programs.
30.55% doctors are neutral in their opinion.
13.88% doctors disagree that enough materials/hard copies are not provided to them
after CME programs.
5.55% doctors disagree that enough materials/hard copies are not provided to them after
CME programs.

20. 10)Trade and consumer publications, advertising, textbooks and journals,
web, television, patient educations comparatively are less time consuming
than CME programs.
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
2.77% doctors strongly agree that trade and consumer publications, advertisements,
journals are less time consuming than CME programs.
19.44% doctors agree that trade and consumer publications, advertisements, journals are
less time consuming than CME programs.
30.55% doctors are neutral in their opinion.
33.33% doctors disagree that trade and consumer publications, advertisements, journals
are less time consuming than CME programs.
13.88% doctors strongly disagree that trade and consumer publications, advertisements,
journals are less time consuming than CME programs.

21. 11) Which kind of CME program would you prefer?
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
44.44% doctors prefer WORKSHOP PROGRAM.
33.33% doctors prefer CONFERENCE.
13.88% doctors prefer SEMINAR.
8.33% doctors prefer ONLINE CME PROGRAM.

22. 12) Current CME programs provide satisfaction to doctors?
Data Interpretation:
According to survey from doctors,
80.55% doctors agree that Current CME program provide satisfaction to
doctors.
16.66% doctors disagree that Current CME program provide satisfaction to
doctors.

23. Findings
More than 90 %( 94.44%) doctors believe that CME program helps in improving their
practice.
52.76% doctors prefer paid CME programs than organized free by companies.
More than 90 %( 97.22%) doctors prefer CME program for short duration, because of busy
schedule in clinic and to avoid mental fatigue.
30.54% doctors prefer online CME programme. The remaining 70% do not prefer online CME
program because of lack of interaction between CME program providers and doctors.
74.44 % doctors agree that CME motivates us to keep up-to date with medical advances.
Only 30.54% doctors say that CME programs at holiday spots or popular resorts attract them.
72.16% doctors need tailor made programs from 1 or 2 can be selected.
58.32 % doctors believe that frequency of CME programs should be increased. Frequency: 2 or
3 times in a year.

24. Cont….
41.66 % doctors agree that speakers should be international level for CME programs.
50% doctors agree that enough materials/hard copies are not provided to doctors after
CME programs.
22.21% doctors agree that trade and consumer publications, Advertising, textbooks and
journals, web, television, patient educations comparatively are less time consuming
than CME programs.
44.44% doctors prefer workshop.
33.33% doctors prefer conference.
13.88% doctors prefer Seminar.
8.33% doctors prefer Online CME program.
80.55% doctors agree that current CME programs provide satisfaction to doctors.

25. Suggestions
94.44% doctors agree that CME programs helps in improving their practice; so, frequency of
CME programs should be increased.
Paid CME programs are more preferred , so companies must organize CME for doctors by
registering doctors with registration fee(Rs 100-Rs 1000).
CME programs must be for short duration because of busy schedule of doctors and also to
avoid mental fatigue.
Doctors suggest that in online CME programs there will be lack of interaction. Hence, as far
as possible, online CME programs must not be organized or frequency of online CME
programs must be decreased. Instead of online CME programs, conferences should be
organized for the purpose of interaction.
Frequency of CME should be increased and also companies should try to make CME programs
more effective and provide latest information regarding medical advancements.
In the case of CME programs, place (holiday spots, popular resorts) does not matter;
knowledge provided by CME program matters.
.

26. Cont….
A list of programs, e.g., neuro, and cardiac, renal, hepatic, etc. tailor made CME
programs can be given to doctors, so as to make their own choice and make CME
programs more doctors friendly .
Good speakers are required in CME programs.
Doctors need regular programs with academic touch.
CME programs should be more interactive and Brain storming rather than having lecture
type CME program.
Companies should also take care of some related services during CME programs. The
most prominent ones are
a) Provide quality and hygiene food.
b) Good hall with best ventilation and lighting.
c) Minimum financial support.
d) Good time schedule without disturbing their practice and personal commitments.

27. Conclusions
It is well-known to all that CME programs play a major role in
pharmaceutical marketing. It takes a dual role in pharmaceutical
marketing. It takes a dual role in creating awareness about the new
molecules and brands and also helps in improving the medical
practice of doctors to a greater extent. It is a tool that doctors
depend on to update their knowledge towards ongoing researches
and developments. So, this project is carried out to understand the
expectations of doctors from pharma companies in organizing
better, efficient CME programs. It is clear through the survey that
every doctor likes to attend CME programs and companies have to
concentrate more on deciding the content and schedule to suit the
practioner’s need.

28. Strengths of study
Captured feedback from physicians themselves.
Low cost.
Quantifiable Data; not labor intensive.
Rapid results.

29. Limitations
Busy schedule of doctors.
Wrong perception of doctors.
Rush of patients to the clinic.
Unwillingness of respondents to answer the asked questions due to boredom or lack
of time. Hence some of them have answered haphazardly or randomly.
Limited time, region and limited sample size restricts this project to be generalized.

30. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1) Davis DA, Thomson MA, Oxman AD, Haynes RB. Evidence for the
effectiveness of CME. A review of 50 randomized controlled trials.
JAMA. 1992;268(9):1111-1117.
2) Thomson. February, 2002. Thomson Job Impact Study: The Next
Generation of Corporate Learning.
3) Todesco A. September 1997. From Training Evaluation to Outcome
Assessment: What Trends and Best Practices Tell Us. The Research
Center. http://learnet.gc.ca.
4) Davis D, et al. Impact of Formal Continuing Medical Education: Do
Conferences, Workshops, Rounds, and Other Traditional Continuing
Education Activities Change Physician Behavior on Health Care
Outcomes? JAMA.1999;282(9):867-874.

31. WEBSITES
1) http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/249/8/1042.abstract visited on
11/02/2012
2) http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/cme/cppd22.pdf visited on
11/02/2012
3) http://www.ncqa.org/tabid/1014/Default.aspx visited on 11/02/2012
4) http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/282/9/867.full visited on 12/02/2012
5) http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/education-careers/continuing-
medical-education.page visited on 12/02/2012
6) http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/cme/cme.pdf visited on
12/02/2012
7) http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/cpde/offerings/index.html visited on
12/02/2012
8) http://medicine.buffalo.edu/cme/planning_cme/cme_types.html visited on
12/02/2012