CME Enterprise understands the art and science of conducting needs assessments. In fact, we received Exemplary Status from ACCME in the Essential Areas and Elements relating to our data sources and methodologies for conducting needs assessments.

Three primary sources of data are used for developing needs assessments, and they all strive to incorporate the learner’s viewpoint.

Expert Opinion

• Surveys of faculty, academia, regulatory, and peer-reviewed literature
  

Participant Needs

• Audience response for pre- and postactivity assessments
• Surveys/focus groups
• Postactivity evaluations and question summaries
• Three- and six-month outcomes assessments
• Performance gap analysis

Knowledge and Performance-Based Needs

• Clinical trials and meta-analysis
• National clinical guidelines
• Specialty society guidelines
• Epidemiological data
• Environmental scanning
• Practice performance measures
• Medical errors and patient safety data
• Pay-for-performance (P4P) measures
• Physician competencies
• Maintenance of certification and licensure requirements