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Background.
CME is well
established in the
USA and many
European countries,
but in Italy it
became mandatory by
law starting from
2002. The patients
opinion is a
critical feedback
signal for the
outcomes of CME. We
attempted, through a
structured
questionnaire, to
evaluate the
patients opinion on
CME a few months
after its
introduction.
Methods. A
structured
questionnaire
involving 8 items
concerning several
aspects of CME was
administered to
asthmatic
outpatients all over
Italy. The
questionnaire was
anonymous and
collected only
demographic data.
Results. 298
questionnaires were
eligible for
analysis. One third
of the patients were
informed about the
Health Ministery Law.
42% of patients
indicated the update
knowledge as the
priority in CME,
followed by
communication with
patients (14.09%)
and attention to
Quality of Life
(13.09%).
Discussion.
Independently of the
Health Ministery Law
knowledge, patients
consider that the
updating of
knowledge has the
priority in the
professional
development plan;
the improvement of
skills as
communication with
the patient and his
family and the
attention for
Quality of Life, are
recognized as more
important than
economical aspects
of disease
management.
Key words:
CME, patients,
asthma, quality of
life, medical
knowledge. |
