PERCEPTIONS OF CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PARTICIPANTS REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF PATIENT CARE THROUGH CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN LAHORE DISTRICT

Shazia Tufail; Junaid Sarfraz Khan; Shehla Baqai; Nilofar Mustafa

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v71i4.3896

Authors

Shazia Tufail CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Junaid Sarfraz Khan National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Shehla Baqai CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Nilofar Mustafa CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v71i4.3896

Keywords:

Attitude of health personnel, continuing medical education, patient care

Abstract

Objective: To explore the perceptions of Continuing Medical Education participants about the improvement of patient care through Continuing Medical Education activities and to explore the factors hampering or favouring improvement of patient care through Continuing Medical Education activities.

Study Design: Qualitative phenomenological study.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from Dec 2016 to May 2017.

Methodology: In qualitative phenomenological study conducted at University of Health Sciences, Lahore from Dec 2016 to May 2017, semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted individually from 10 General Practitioners which were audiorecorded and transcribed. Code labels were assigned manually and grouped together into broader themes. Interpretation of
themes was done after thematic analysis.

Results: Two participants were female and ten were male with experience ranging between 20-38 years. Three main themes with sub-themes were identified: (1) positive talk (Affirming the link between Continuing Medical Education and improved patient care), (2) negative talk (perceived hindrances in gaining full benefit from Continuing Medical Education activities), (3) concerns regarding current Continuing Medical Education activities.

Conclusion: Participants were found inclined towards Continuing Medical Education activities and felt more confident and comfortable in managing their patients. However, they felt that physicians working in rural areas were dealing directly with all sorts of patients and were more in need of targeted and tailored Continuing Medical Education activities.