Continuing Medical Education for Primary Care Physicians in Israel: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pesach Shvartzman,Roni Peleg,Anthony Heymann,Howard Tandeter,Eran Matz ,Daniel Vardy

doi:10.1155/2013/843691

Abstract

Acquiring a medical degree is only the beginning of a prolonged learning process. At some point, formal studies end, and continuing medical education (CME) may be left to personal initiative. To assess lifetime learning (LL) and CME among primary care physicians in Israel, a self-administered questionnaire, based on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL), was mailed to 4,104 primary care physicians. A total of 979 completed the study, 53.4% males with a mean age of 51.8 ± 8.3 (range 31–79). A logistic regression model showed that male gender (OR = 1.5, P<0.05), teaching (OR = 4.5, P<0.0001), and not working in a rural clinic (OR = 0.6, P<0.01), increased the LL score. The results of the study demonstrate a need to address special subgroups that have a lower tendency to engage in LL activities. Policymakers should develop strategies to increase these physicians' interest in LL activities and the accessibility of these activities to them, including the availability of LL resources at home so physicians can get updates at their convenience. Primary care physicians should also be encouraged to become involved in teaching of any type, as this is a facilitating factor for LL activities.

Highlights

Acquiring a medical degree is only the beginning of a prolonged learning process
Hospitals have a long tradition of continuing medical education (CME) and professional updating that are integrated into the regular work schedule
We evaluated the characteristics of primary care physicians who have adopted lifetime learning (LL) as a professional principle

Summary

Introduction

Medical schools provide the basic infrastructure of knowledge and skills. Formal studies continue during residency training and sometimes in subspecialty or fellowship programs that provide trainees with the necessary skills to perform more specific tasks. At a certain point in time, “formal” structured studies end, and, in countries in which the recertification of physicians’ skills and knowledge is not required, continuing education is left to personal initiative. Hospitals have a long tradition of continuing medical education (CME) and professional updating that are integrated into the regular work schedule. This includes staff meetings, radiology meetings, clinical-pathological meetings, and journal clubs. As the focus of patient care moves to the community, the focus of CME should follow

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