Reasons for Participation of Ophthalmologist in Continuing Medical Education

Purpose: Today, Continues Medical Education (CME) is considered as one of the methods to improve knowledge and clinical performance of physicians. In this regard, all physicians will become familiar with new and more effective therapies and are encouraged to follow them. The present qualitative study aims at explaining the reasons for the participation of Iranian ophthalmologists in continuing medical education programs in Iran. Methods: This research is a qualitative study using content analysis, in which 12 participants, consisting of 7 subspecialists and 5 general ophthalmologists were recruited to participate in in-depth interviews and field observations concerning experiences with CME. The study was performed, using content analysis based on Granheim method. The codes, categories, and themes were explored through the inductive process, in which the researchers moved from specific to general. Results: Based on participations experiences, institutionalization concepts, the motivational factors, and barriers to participation in the program, formed the essential theme of “Area of cooperation of ophthalmologist in CME”. The acceptation of the application, variety of ways of training, and obtaining scientific authority represent the institutionalization of programs, intrapersonal factors, programs, and the rate of medical culture ophthalmology represent barriers of participation in programs.   Conclusion: In spite of the institutionalization of CME application, factors such as intrapersonal factors, medical culture of ophthalmology in order to weaken ophthalmologists were considered as effective factors. The emphasis of the present study was to enhance trainers and trainees interaction. So, it is recommended to recruit ophthalmologist as teachers and stakeholders in designing CME programs.