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Background & Objective : Need assessment is can be applied as a tool for a better usage by managers and designers of Continuous Medical Education (CME) programs Hence this study was conducted to assess general practitioners viewpoints about Continuous Medical Education Programs held in Zanjan University of Medical Education Methods : This descriptive study was conducted on all general practitioners of Zanjan province (450 persons) but only 260 ones participated by filling in the questionnaires Results : The motive to participate in CME programs in 462% of the participants was gaining credit points while updating scientific information was reported in 388% of them 588 percent of the physicians believed that the effect of CME programs was moderate to high 565% wanted 5 to 10 CME programs a year The influence of CME programs place was high to very high according to 642% of the participants 512 percent preferred weekends whereas 407% preferred daily fourhour programs 588 percent were in favor of holding pretests and posttests to determine the qualitative effect of the program Conclusion : According to general practitioners CME programs could be more effective So it is recommended to hold these programs at the weekends one day a week and four hours a day Five to ten programs are also suggested in a year

Abstract Introduction: During their long period of study, medical students face a large variety of texts and contents which require adequate time and an organized plan to study. This study was performed to determine medical students’ study skills and habits in Zanjan Medical University. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, all medical students in different years of study (n=220) were selected in 2004. A valid and reliable questionnaire including demographic characteristics and 24 questions with 5 point Likert scale ranging from completely agree to completely disagree was distributed as group administered. Lower scores indicated more appropriate study skills and habits. Data analysis was done by SPSS software through calculating Median, and performing Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis. Results: The median scores for the skills of time management, concentration, reading speed, note taking, study habits and comprehension were 2.75, 2.25, 2, 1.75, 1.75, and 1.5 out of 4, respectively. Male students had significantly better concentration, time management and comprehension than female students. Interns had better condition in time management compared with other students. There was no significant difference between the median scores according to different living places. Conclusion: Medical students had better situation in study habits, comprehension and note taking. Regarding gender, male students had better condition in some skills compared to female students. Teaching study skills as workshop or course credit, can help medical students in better learning and understanding.