Observations on the content of a formal CME course before and after needs assessment

This paper describes a pre‐post design case study of the value of formal needs assessment criteria in determining the educational needs of practicing family physicians relating to diagnostic and therapeutic issues in hypertension. These criteria evolved from a needs assessment survey and questions from a medical information service. The authors describe the content changes made to the presentation as a result of the planned needs assessment. An additional four patient cases, 20 learning needs, and one summary point were elicited by the needs assessment. The importance of CME presenters being aware of the needs of their audiences prior to presenting their information is discussed. CME offered without considering such needs assessment methods may be limited at times and may miss the mark.