Responses from 53% of 2,300 British Columbia physicians were used to create a list of 375 educationally influential physicians. These opinion leaders will serve as resources for formal and informal continuing medical education. (SK)

Twenty-four of 54 nurses who attended a continuing education program on immunization responded to a 6-month follow-up survey. Knowledge scores increased significantly, but practice behaviors changed only moderately. (SK)

A discrepancy model defines what successful continuing medical education is and what it should be. Then data are collected and analyzed to describe the nature and scope of the discrepancy. This approach to educational needs assessment uses an outcomes focus to plan more effective continuing-education programs. (SK)

Focus groups provide a broader range of qualitative information useful in needs assessment and continuing education program planning. One disadvantage is a group not representative of the target audience. The effectiveness of focus groups is enhanced by combining them with quantitative methods. (SK)

Presents advantages and disadvantages of environmental scanning for assessing the context of professional continuing education. Provides a checklist for evaluating the quality and usefulness of information sources. Addresses the ethics of scanning. (SK)

Discusses a group known as the Consortium for Education and Training (CET), composed of practitioners who are seeking sustained contact for formal continuing-education unit activities. Describes the consortium model, its philosophical and practical elements, participation needs, topic selection, and implications and opportunities open to…

Most of the 23 European providers of continuing medical education (CME) surveyed reported programming on the doctor-patient relationship and psychosocial issues. Visits to programs in France, the Netherlands, and Spain identified the formats used most often in small group instruction, intensive individual learning, and national-level CME. (SK)

Disruptive technologies are simple convenient innovations that have triggered failures of some well-managed companies. They may threaten continuing medical-education programs so focused on leading-edge technology they lose sight of the very different educational needs of growing numbers of health care providers, who are turning to consultants, the…

Pretests and posttests of 25 physicians who took a home-study course on breast disease and 25 who attended a workshop showed that both groups significantly increased knowledge and were more comfortable dealing with patient-care issues. Both formats were equally effective. (SK)

Five teleconferences were held at 6-week intervals following a train-the-trainer workshop for continuing medical education facilitators. Participants felt more prepared to facilitate due to participation in the teleconferences. Teleconferences were an effective way to provide follow-up and reinforcement for workshop participants at a distance.…

Investigates school psychologists' continuing professional development (CPD) needs and their relationship to selected demographic factors and preservice training. A survey of 235 National Association of School Psychologists members reports that the greatest CPD needs are in the areas of direct service and consultation. No demographic variables…

Discussion of international collaboration focuses on two case studies, one of a graduate course and one a professional continuing education course, which examined participants' perceptions and use of technology. Data suggest that technology compatibility with cultural and work style preferences and technology infrastructure are more important than…

Information literacy is vital for medical practice. Considerations for continuing education planners include (1) continuous development of informatics skills; (2) certification of information competence; (3) contextualization of information literacy skills; (4) convergence of technological and information literacy; and (5) collaboration through…

Analysis of continuing professional development (CPD) policies in 101 British professional associations found 40 references to mentoring. Those with voluntary rather than mandatory CPD were significantly more likely to mention it. Mentoring is seen as supporting both personal and professional development, and it can help develop reflective…

Responses from 2,200 physicians indicated that nearly all have Internet access and use it primarily for medical information and professional development, not for communicating with patients. Credibility of source, speed, accessibility, and searching ease were most important. Barriers included information overload and too little information…