Improving the value of CME: impact of an evidence-based CME credit designation on faculty and learners.
OBJECTIVE
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) designates enhanced continuing Medical education (CME) credit (evidence based [EB] CME) to activities that meet specific criteria incorporating EB medicine principles. However, little is known about the effect of this innovation on EB-CME faculty or their learners.


METHODS
Subjects were faculty presenters and participants at the 2006 AAFP Annual Scientific Assembly. We compared presenters and participants of sessions with EB-CME approval to those without, assessing faculty preparation and participants' perceptions of CME quality and value.


RESULTS
EB-CME faculty preparation was more likely to use evidence-based medicine (EBM) resources and less likely to rely upon books, journals, or personal experiences. There were statistically significant differences in session participants' perceptions with regard to scientific evidence presented, perception of commercial bias, and application of information to practice, with EB CME sessions more favorable in all dimensions. Main faculty barriers to EB- CME application were time constraints and limited understanding of the application and approval process.


CONCLUSIONS
The AAFP's EB-CME designation is associated with greater faculty use of EBM sources, while EB-CME participants perceive EB-CME as higher in quality and value.
Davis
Nancy L
NL
National Institute for Quality Improvement and Education, Homestead, PA 15120, USA. ndavis@niqie.org
Lawrence
Steven L
SL
Morzinski
Jeffrey A
JA
Radjenovich
Mary Ellen
ME
D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States