Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Background and Objectives: Continuing education (CE) is accomplished for maintaining and promoting the levels of knowledge and skills of medical society. Therefore performance quality evaluation of this program is necessary to eliminate the possible imperfections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of performance and to determine suitable methods of teachings, and accomplishment of CE programs in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.

  Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on all general practitioners (186) who participated in CE programs in 2008. The data was collected by a questionnaire containing demographic information along with 33 questions about the quality of performance and suitable methods of teaching according to 5-point Likert scale.

  Results: The response rate to the questionnaires was 87.1%. Mean of age and duration of medical practice were 37 ± 8.9 and 8.4 ± 8.2 years, respectively. Fifty eight point six percent of the respondents were male. Thirty point six percent of the participants had desired satisfactions from performance quality of program, and 69.4% had moderate satistaction. The three preferred teaching methods included lecture along with showing films, educational workshop, and lecture along with question and answer respectively. The three most preferred accomplishment methods were codified education, showing educational films and studing educational textbooks and scientific journals respectively. There was no significant difference between female and male general practitioners regarding the satisfaction, teaching and preference methods.

  Conclusion: The majority of general practitioners had moderate satisfaction with the quality of performance of CE programs in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the subjects of CE based on community health needs, new scientific themes and professional problem solving.

  Key words: Continuing Education, General Practitioner, Teaching Methods, Program Evaluation

  Funding: This research was funded by Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.

  Conflict of interest: The authors are among editorial board or editorial staff of JRUMS.

  Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences approved the study.