Factors Affecting The Practice Of Continuous Medical Education Among Medical Practitioners Of Mubende Regional Referral Hospital,Mubende District

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Continuous Medical Education, defined as any medical educational activity undertaken by physicians after graduation from medical school is essential for all medical practitioners for many important reasons. CME increases and improves the physician’s knowledge, skills, and performance which ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare services for patients and the public. Moreover, CME ensures that physicians have the basic and advanced medical knowledge and skills that are recognized and accepted within medical science. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess factors affecting the practice of CME among medical practitioners of MRRH, Mubende district Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey involved 100 medical practitioners who were practising at MRRH. The MPs included nurses, clinical officers and medical officers. The MPs were handed to complete the questionnaire on factors affecting the practice of continuous medical education. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 67.6% of the respondents practised CME sessions.98.7% attended CME to improve their medical knowledge and improve patient management techniques. 75% strongly agreed that CME is as important as other hospital undertakings. Only 13.4% respondent that attended CME rated it as excellent, while 77.6% rated it good. 98.5% of the respondents were notified for CME sessions by notice boards while only 1.5% of the respondents were notified by social media platforms that included WhatsApp, and rarely Facebook. 74% of the respondents said there‟s no specified time to attend a CME while 30% of the respondents reported that there’s a demarcated or protected time to practice CME. Conclusion: The MPs who were practising at MRRH had a more than average attendance or practice of CME and were determined to practice CME. The MPs attitude towards practices of CME was excellent hence could not be considered a factor that significantly affects their decisions to attend CME. Other forms of CME, that include: Radio CME, Internet Journals, TV journals were the least used type of CME used by MPs of MRRH, therefore has a negative significant impact on the decision to attend CME. Shortage of protected time off from daily hospital undertakings has a significant negative impact on the decision to practice CME. Recommendations: It is well known that medical education does not stop at any one point, due to dynamicity in technology and innovations, and the need to improve and update medical skills of all in-practice MPs continuously for a better hospital output and patient satisfaction, the hospital administrators should provide protected and demarcated time for MPs to practice CME. 1