I like the following evaluation approach for large CME conferences. A large CME conference = multiple topics + multiple speakers + multiple participating specialties (not unlike the annual Alliance meeting).
Here are the three steps:
Step #1. One week after the CME conference, contact participants and ask them to identify up to three changes that they are considering implementing in their practice (as a result of participating). I like to use SurveyMonkey.com for this step.
Step #2. Four weeks after the CME conference, send a reminder of intended changes to each participant who responded to Step #1 (also include a summary of the other attendees’ intended changes).
Step #3. Three months after the CME conference, contact every participant who responded to Step #1 to see if their intended changes were realized (and, if not, why). Again, I like to use SurveyMonkey.com for this step.
Step #1 assesses “competence” changes. Step #3 assesses “performance” changes. Step #2 is an adjunct noneducational strategy to enhance change (ACCME criterion 17).
