Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Office of Continuing Medical Education
Stakeholder Needs Assessment

Project Date
Mar 2021—June 2022
Type of Evaluation
Needs Assessment
Setting
Academic
Overview
The Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Office of Continuing Medical Education facilitates learning opportunities for healthcare professionals to enhance clinical competence and professional performance and to improve patient care.
The Evaluation Center partnered with the Office of Continuing Medical Education to collect and analyze data from key stakeholders to inform its strategic plan and ensure alignment with stakeholders’ educational needs.
Project Description
Background
The Continuing Medical Education Program (CME) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis facilitates learning opportunities for healthcare professionals to enhance clinical competence and professional performance and to improve patient care.
CME engaged the Evaluation Center to interview Leadership, Department Chair, and Affiliate stakeholders from eight institutions to inform CME’s strategic vision and ensure alignment with the educational needs of key stakeholders across the institutions. Ultimately, the strategic vision/plan will inform the CME office’s renewal application with the Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education. The interview process also invited stakeholders to reimagine the value of CME activities in their clinical operations and advance opportunities for partnership.
The interview findings informed the development of a survey for additional key stakeholders. The survey helped the CME office better understand stakeholders’ perspectives on specific CME activities and services, such as full meeting planning, compliance requirements, patient safety and quality improvement, and accreditation.
Evaluation Center Activities
- Conducted interviews with CME stakeholders to inform CME’s strategic vision and ensure alignment with the educational needs of stakeholders across institutions.
- Analyzed qualitative data from the interviews.
- Developed a survey for CME stakeholders to better understand their perspectives on specific CME activities and services.
- Collected, managed, and analyzed quantitative data from the survey.
Our Products
- Stakeholder interview guide
- Stakeholder interview findings report
- Stakeholder survey
- Stakeholder survey findings brief
Funder
Washington University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education