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Efficacy of an integrated continuing medical education (CME) and quality improvement (QI) program on radiation oncologist (RO) clinical practice
- Source :
-
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics . Dec2006, Vol. 66 Issue 5, p1457-1460. 4p. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Purpose: There has been little radiation oncologist (RO)-specific research in continuing medical education (CME) or quality improvement (QI) program efficacy. Our aim was to evaluate a CME/QI program for changes in RO behavior, performance, and adherence to department protocols/studies over the first 12 months of the program. Methods and Materials: The CME/QI program combined chart audit with feedback (C-AWF), simulation review AWF (SR-AWF), reminder checklists, and targeted CME tutorials. Between April 2003 and March 2004, management of 75 patients was evaluated by chart audit with feedback (C-AWF) and 178 patients via simulation review audit (SR-AWF) using a validated instrument. Scores were presented, and case management was discussed with individualized educational feedback. RO behavior and performance was compared over the first year of the program. Results: Comparing the first and second 6 months, there was a significant improvement in mean behavior (12.7–13.6 of 14, p = 0.0005) and RO performance (7.6–7.9 of 8, p = 0.018) scores. Protocol/study adherence significantly improved from 90.3% to 96.6% (p = 0.005). A total of 50 actions were generated, including the identification of learning needs to direct CME tutorials, the systematic change of suboptimal RO practice, and the alteration of deficient management of 3% of patients audited during the program. Conclusion: An integrated CME/QI program combining C-AWF, SR-AWF, QI reminders, and targeted CME tutorials effectively improved targeted RO behavior and performance over a 12-month period. There was a corresponding increase in departmental protocol and study adherence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03603016
- Volume :
- 66
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23207082
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.07.018