Einstein (São Paulo) (Dec 2008)
Continuing Medical Education Program: a credit system evaluation
Abstract
Objectives: To analyze the Continuing Medical Education (CME)program developed at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, formallyinitiated in 2002, carried out in six successive 12-month cyclesand focused on participating physicians, as to compliance with theprogram over time and as to educational production measured bya credit system. Methods: This is a descriptive (population) studythat used a scoring model based on credit measured by time (onecredit = one class hour) with formal and informal educational toolsto analyze the compliance of the clinical staff with the program andthe credit distribution profile regarding events promoted by theinstitution and elsewhere in the participants, in those who attainthe goal established, and in a group that participated in six cyclesand reached the institutional goal. For comparisons between thecycles, generalized estimation equations were used with normal(for means of credits) and binomial (for rates of physicians whoattained the goals) distributions. Results: Comparing the six cycles,compliance of the clinical staff grew gradually and there was anincrease in scoring of credits over time (growing credit mean).Distribution of the credits according to the type of activity wassimilar to that presented in literature, with greater representationin participation in congresses, courses, scientific meetings, andpublications, among other educational modalities. Conclusions:The analysis of this credit system showed consolidation of theCME program over time with a mature and consistent attitude ofthe participants.
