In an effort to meet its members’ growing needs, the AANS Department of Education and Practice Management (formerly the Professional Development Program) conducted a series of surveys and focus groups that queried AANS members on how the Association can enhance its educational courses, products, programs and services. The key themes, issues and concerns that emerged from the surveys and focus groups are detailed below.
Membership Surveys
In September 1999, the AANS mailed two surveys to a sample of 2,371 members. The first survey assessed members’ interest in electronic CME products, and the second measured AANS members’ interest in expanded neurosurgical review courses.
Of the 1,511 electronic CME surveys distributed, 468 were returned, representing a 31 percent response rate. Ninety-five percent of the respondents indicated that they use a home or business computer, and more than 94 percent stated that they have Internet access and use CD-ROMs. Thirty-nine percent of the respondents indicated a “great” interest in purchasing AANS Annual Meeting courses and examinations on the Internet, and 28 percent expressed an interest in courses that offer CME examinations on CD-ROM.
“This information obtained from the surveys will be of great value, as we set out to determine how to best tailor our continuing medical education courses to meet AANS members’ growing needs,” said David F. Jimenez, MD, Chair of the Education Committee.
When queried on how they receive their CME credits, respondents indicated a variety of sources, namely the AANS and CNS; regional/state/local neurosurgical groups; other professional societies; or industry-sponsored groups. The survey also revealed that the majority of neurosurgeons receive their required CME credits by attending AANS and CNS meetings followed by other professional society conferences, state medical society meetings and industry events. The number of state-mandated CME credits differed greatly among the respondents, ranging from zero to 150. Neurosurgeons in academic settings stated that they usually obtain more credits than needed, whereas some community practitioners indicated a difficulty in earning the number of CME credits needed.
Of the 860 neurosurgical review course surveys distributed, 173 members responded. Of those that responded, 71 percent said that they would be interested in registering for a review course. Most would prefer to take a course in their geographical area, and 74 percent were willing to retake a review course every 3-5 years. Sixty-five percent of the respondents indicated that they would take advantage of self-assessment courses in neurological surgery, and more than 97 percent expressed an interest in electronic self assessment tools, such as CD-ROMs (61 percent) and the Internet (58 percent).
A final survey, which was included in the Fall 1999/Winter 2000 Bulletin, queried members on the focus of current and future AANS continuing medical education courses. Of the 4,200 questionnaires distributed, 149 were returned. Of those that responded, 90 percent look to AANS-sponsored courses when evaluating their continuing education needs. In particular, reimbursement and coding courses ranked high, however many respondents indicated a greater interest in attending clinical courses.
Among the top rated topics for future clinical courses were: hands-on spinal instrumentation, didactic/interactive spine decision-making, didactic/interactive pain management decision-making, hands-on cervical spine, hands-on neuroendoscopy and didactic/interactive tumor decision-making courses. Among the leading socioeconomic topics for future courses were: reimbursement issues, coding regulations, quality improvement, outcomes studies, and receivables and fee schedules.
Focus Groups
The feedback from the focus groups, which took place in October 1999, mirrored many of the survey results. Group participants commented on the educational value of the AANS and CNS meetings, but agreed that smaller Section and regional meetings are more focused and provide participants with more practical information in a particular area of study.
When asked their opinion on AANS-sponsored CME courses, group participants stated that they were pleased with the AANS’ high-caliber socioeconomic courses and offered suggestions for enhancing their clinical courses, namely improve marketing efforts, seek input from Sections on course content and structure, and coordinate the educational offerings among the different neurosurgical programs, including the AANS Annual Meeting. Focus group members also suggested that the AANS explore the possibility of offering medico-legal courses that focus on medical insurance, torts and worker’s compensation.
“The AANS Education Committee is pleased with the feedback that we have received through our recent surveys and focus groups,” said Dr. Jimenez. “This was a valuable exercise in learning about our members wants and needs, and we plan to continue to query our members on a regular basis.”