3A-S2-5
A COUNTRYWIDE PROGRAMME OF
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) IN ARGENTINA Lejarraga, H; Ageitos, ML; Galli, A. The Argentine Society of Paediatrics
(SAP) introduced in 1993 a CPD programme to raise standards of clinical
practice. Its nature was a structured distance learning programme,
accessible to all paediatricians in the country, but specially designed to
include also those working far from centres of paediatric excellence. It includes:
1) a written manual designed by a team of medical experts and
educationalists (12 topics per year), 2) field work for participants, 3)
annual meetings in several locations in the country for group discussion of
the subjects, 4) multiple choice questionnaire for evaluation, distributed
by post. The inscription fee is accessible to all paediatricians, and the
Society uses its full administrative organisation for supporting all
aspects of the programme (logistic, financial, etc). The programme started in
1993 with 3357 participants and ever since, this number has been
continuously increased up to 6328 in 2000 (49.7% of all paediatricians
members of SAP). Seventy one per cent of the participants are women, and
25.6% live in areas far from academic centres. An
audit carried out in 1999 showed that the programme has an impact on
clinical practice. This CPD initiative enrols a large percentage of
colleagues, it can help professional standards and enhance self esteem of
the paediatrician.
Sociedad
Argentina de Pediatría-Buenos Aires, Argentina