Attitudes et attentes des médecins généralistes à l’égard de la formation médicale continue. Réflexions à partir d’une enquête transversale auprès de 73 médecins de la région de Sfax (Tunisie)

Abstract

ObjectivesThrough this study, we proposed to describe the attitudes of general doctors in the region of Sfax (Tunisia) with respect to the continuing medical education and identify their expectations for continuing medical education. Material and methodsOur study, transversal, was spread over 3 months, from July to September 2015. It consisted of a survey of 120 general doctors working in the public sector or the liberal sector of the health region of Sfax. Data were collected through a questionnaire that includes questions about their attitudes and expectations of continuing medical education, objectives and obstacles of this training and the factors of motivation. Results and commentsThe rate of participation in the study was 60.83 %. Twenty-two physicians (30.1 %) were employed in the liberal sector and 51 (69.9 %) belonged to the public sector. Our sample consisted of 39 women and 34 men. Almost all general practitioners (95.9 %) think that the continuing medical education is required. Only 53.4 % believe that training is a legal requirement. Furthermore, 71.2 % of the study population regard it as an ethical duty and 28.8 % the offer as an optional activity. Indeed, in Tunisia, the continuing medical education is still optional and is not subject to any control or legislation. Its obligation is only to ethical and moral order. Among the expectations of general practitioners of this investigation, therapeutic innovations and practices order of techniques were the themes that they consider most relevant to teach as part of continuing medical education with respective frequencies of 64.3 % and 45.2 %. ConclusionContinuing medical education affects all physicians regardless of their mode of exercise and is one of the main tools for improving the quality of care. General practitioners, in particular taking into account their crucial role, are the most affected by this continuing medical education. According to our study, these expectations are summarized in active learning, content specific to their needs and formative evaluation.