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Letters to the Editor Indian Pediatrics 2002; 39: 111-112 |
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The Art and Science of Conducting a Continuing Medical Education Program |
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I read with interest the recent article(1) on this subject and have the following observations. Our analysis of Participants’ Opinion revealed that Workshops, interactive sessions, etc. involving active participation are best reserved for the Post Lunch Session(2). Many participants also preferred a definite period for questions soon after a lecture. Lectures were preferred during the pre-lunch session, interspersed with other forms of knowledge transfer like panel discussions, etc.(2). A prize for the best question by the participant on the lecture heard as decided by the speaker invoked better audience participa-tion in a Continuing Medical Education Program (CMEP) (Nagabhushana Rao, Personal Communication). The speakers of the CMEP should also get a feedback from the audience so that they could formulate action plans for the future. An active involvement by the delegates and an open mind by the speaker to receive a critical (sometimes unpleasant) feedback are the essential prerequisites in this context. The format of the scientific and inaugural program once decided should be strictly adhered to. Last minute changes or inclusions alter the punctuality resulting in chaos particularly to the last few speakers who will have to address a near empty auditorium! Many a time, those who work for the success of the CMEP behind the screen do not gain any recognition for their hard work. The organizers have an onus to do the same during the CMEP in a brief manner so as to encourage such class to increase in number from time to time. Further, preference to a particular job selection by the volunteer helps. Both the members of the faculty and the delegates should be magnanimous to accept occasional pitfalls in the CMEP which occur despite most care exercised by the organizers. It should be mandatory to involve the key organizers of the previous year’s program in the organizing committee of the subsequent year to encash on their rich and vast experiences and pitfalls in the immediate past. Most often the same experiences are relearnt by the next group at a cost, which is often unnecessary. We have periodically tried to recognize and respect those delegates who regularly attend CMEPs and participate actively in order to enthuse others to follow. Nagabhushana,
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