Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore physicians' responses to the needs for education in geriatrics identified by a community needs survey. DESIGN: Interviews conducted during a cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Private family practices in Calgary. PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected family physicians in Calgary who had previously recruited patients for a community needs survey. Thirty of 60 volunteer physicians randomly selected for phase 1 of the study were interviewed. One physician recruited patients for phase 1 but declined to be interviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic variables, practice characteristics, and opinions on urgency of potential topics for continuing medical education. RESULTS: Physicians agreed with community informants that they need more education about medication for the elderly, medical management, and mental health issues. Physicians did not perceive pressing needs for education in communication skills with patients, in compassion, or in health promotion for patients. Physicians identified many barriers to meeting needs identified by the community. Among the most notable obstacles were inadequate time, inadequate remuneration, and lack of accessible community resources. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing medical education should help physicians recognize the community's needs and design programs that will address them.
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Selected References
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