NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR EFFECTIVE CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICIANS IN GEORGIA.

At all levels--from individual to national- Continuing medical education (CME,) competency-based continuing professional development (CPD) planning should incorporate objectively determined quality, program utilization, and other objective data as well as more subjectively determined needs as perceived by individual physicians. The study aims to conduct self-recognized/perceived needs assessment for CME/CPD among certified physicians working at TSMU University Clinics and TSMU affiliated clinics different regional cities of Georgia: Kutaisi, Batumi, Kareli; Provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of the completed questionnaires to identify discrepancies and find the differences between forecasts and actual data, recognize their causes and devlop recommendations for clinical skills development, new knowledge dissemination, and barrier avoidance. Medical Doctors were interviewed by specially designed on-line surveys in various regions of Georgia, including the capital. The answers provided by respondents indicate, that clinicians today are responsive to activities that are practice-relevant, efficient, effective, rewarding, and more personalized. Physicians prefer evidence-based, clinical CME topics that address a major aspect of their practice and that potentially provide an opportunity to learn new skills.