Educational Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis Process

NCME has planned and implemented many CME activities on a variety of topics. Before any initiative is started, NCME prepares a comprehensive, written educational planning document to systematically review and analyze practice gaps in a given disease state. A thorough needs assessment is compiled and validated with the help of key experts. The process includes:

• a needs assessment, including mail and e-mail surveys to potential intended learner/audiences to ascertain current knowledge and practice habits and help identify “educational gaps”
  
  
• interviews with clinicians from different areas of the country to help identify regional differences in practice habits
  
  
• an analysis preferred formats by audience
  
  
• A review of appropriate congresses, scientific sessions, and other meetings that could represent possible collaborations with NCME in developing continuing medical education activities
  
  
• A recommendation of a mix of educational modalities to reach audiences in ways that conform to individual preferred learning styles (eg, electronic, print, live)