Continuing Medical Education Through Television

Abstract

Many physicians do not participate in organized continuing medical education. While some show reluctance to accept their need to become involved, others express concern that they lack the opportunity to influence the design of the educational courses offered. The Oregon Medical Association, therefore, decided to sponsor a series of television programs for the continuing education of its members. By the placement of this responsibility in the state medical association, the entire membership theoretically becomes involved in attempting to design and organize an effective system of continuing medical education. Organization Plans for program production were laid at a meeting of the television committee of the medical association and the production staff of Oregon Educational Broadcasting (part of the Oregon State System of Higher Education). The television committee then selected 17 physicians and made each responsible for the development of one program. Criteria for the selection of these physicians were vague; a