Critical appraisal of continuing medical education in the rheumatic diseases for primary care physicians.
OBJECTIVE
To critically appraise evidence of the effectiveness of continuing medical education (CME) in rheumatic diseases for primary care physicians.


METHODS
Three physicians independently applied preset criteria to evaluated CME interventions published between January 1966 and August 1993.


RESULTS
Eight of 166 articles identified were critically appraised, 7 of which had positive results. Marked heterogeneity in educational interventions, evaluative methods, and outcomes was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite generally positive results, weak methodology precludes drawing firm conclusions about the effectiveness of CME in rheumatic diseases.
Glazier
R
R
University of Toronto, Wellesley Hospital Research Institute, Ontario, Canada.
Buchbinder
R
R
Bell
M
M
D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000193:education*