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Research

The goal of the FMPE Research program is to:

“Clarify and explore the processes and components of the Practice Based Learning Program (PBLP) that enhance physician learning and practice change”

The first funded research project undertaken by FMPE was the Better Prescribing Project (1998-2000) designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the small group PBLP. This study showed that physicians who use the small group PBLP process are more likely to change their prescribing behavior (Herbert 2004; Wakefield 2003; Wakefield 2004).

In order to facilitate a greater focus on research, a formal research program was established in 2009. The program has several ongoing projects, conducted by FMPE faculty and also in collaboration with a number of renowned medical education researchers. Topics of research include:

  • practice reflections
  • commitment-to-change
  • communities of learners
  • self-assessment
  • knowledge translation
  • practice implementation

These research projects would not be possible without the full support and voluntary participation of small group PBLP facilitators and members.

The following agencies have provided funding for peer reviewed projects:

  • Health Canada
  • Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education (SACME)
  • Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) 

Program Evaluation

The goal of our program evaluations is to determine the effectiveness of PBLP and the level of satisfaction our members have with the program.

PBLP Member and Facilitator Surveys are important components of the program evaluation process. The surveys offer program participants the opportunity to provide feedback on a range of issues and make suggestions for further enhancement of the program.

Members are also offered the opportunity to evaluate each PBLP module. This feedback is invaluable to the module development team and helps create modules that better meet the learning needs of members.

In addition to member feedback, we regularly evaluate the program internally at all levels of our organization. Assessments from all stakeholders are used to determine whether our educational goals are being met and whether our program is evolving to meet emerging needs.

Past efforts to improve the program are reflected in increasing member satisfaction over time (note virtual session in 2020 did impact the ratings given by members): 

Membership Survey Results

20052010201320182020*
The overall PBSG learning experience; good to excellent:89.7%90.8%95.2%98.0%87.4%
The quality of group interaction; good to excellent:89.4%92.9%97.7%98.7%81.1%
The overall quality of the modules; good to excellent:80.5%81.3%88.3%96.7%97.0%
*Virtual Sessions

Publications