A factor analytic study of physicians’ reasons for participating in continuing education

The purposes of this study were to assess physicians’ reasons for participating in continuing medical education and to judge the efficacy of using a specific instrument for planning and evaluating continuing medical education (CME) programs. From four Illinois hospitals 211 practicing physicians completed the Participation Reasons Scale. The responses to this 34-item instrument were factor analyzed; physicians’ reasons for participating in continuing education cluster into four areas: To maintain and improve professional competence and service to patients, to understand oneself as a professional, to interact with colleagues, and to enhance personal and professional position. These results indicate that physicians’ reasons are more complicated than has been thought to be true. Implications for CME program planners and faculty are discussed.