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Ann Rheum Dis 2004;63:1684-1686 doi:10.1136/ard.2003.016188
  • Concise report

Self assessment in continuous professional development: a valuable tool for individual physicians and scientific societies

  1. C Beyeler1,
  2. R Westkämper2,
  3. P M Villiger1,
  4. A Aeschlimann3
  1. 1Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology/Allergology, University Hospital, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
  2. 2Institute for Medical Education, University, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
  3. 3Clinic of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, RehaClinic, 5330 Zurzach, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr C Beyeler
    christine.beyelerinsel.ch
  • Accepted 21 March 2004

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the appreciation of self assessment (SA) by multiple choice question (MCQ) tests during continuous professional development (CPD) meetings and to evaluate the attitude towards the option of recertification.

Methods: A questionnaire was completed at a meeting of the Swiss Societies of Rheumatology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2003 (response rate 94.9% (223/235)).

Results: 60.9% of members found SA useful to assess rheumatological knowledge by MCQ tests; 71.3% thought it motivating to receive an anonymous feedback; 47.2% wanted an additional individualised feedback; 70.8% asked for SA to be continued every 2 years during CPD sessions; 26.3% favoured the option of recertification with identical standards to the Swiss certifying examination in rheumatology. Physicians in private practice less often chose the option of recertification than physicians employed by hospitals (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.18). No correlations between the type and duration of specialisation, personal reading time, frequency of attendance at CPD meetings, sex of the members, and the choices made were found.

Conclusions: SA by MCQ tests during CPD meetings is highly accepted by Swiss rheumatologists. This reliable, valid, and economic method of learning needs assessment enables individual physicians and scientific societies to plan educational with specific goals in mind.

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