Planning continuing medical education activities.

A review of program development literature in adult education and continuing medical education (CME) indicates the pervasive influence of a single approach to designing instructional activities. An examination of the assumptions of this model indicates several weaknesses. An alternative model is proposed that recognizes the importance and impact of the planners' interaction with representatives of the learner group, institutional colleagues and persons in outside agencies. Results of previous research, experience in planning, observations of the planning processes of others and discussions with expert continuing medical educators show that planning is a dynamic process of suggesting and selecting from many alternatives those instructional activities with the greatest potential for effecting the desired changes in learners. Through a series of deliberations, needs are specified, instructional activities are designed, goals and objectives are stated, and evaluation techniques are selected. CME planners direct the process and constantly focus on the immediate impact on the learners and ultimately on the learners' practice behavior.