Research in Medicine

Background : Special attention has been paid to the management of acute diarrhea in children during the recent 15 years. Diarrhea-related CME courses have been established in Iran since 1991 (Control of Diarrheal Diseases) in order to improve physicians' knowledge and attitude towards the appropriate management of acute diarrhea. The present study was conducted to assess knowledge of private physicians attending CME courses for acute diarrhea in Tehran .

 Materials and methods : Case group included physicians attending the CME courses and the controls were those not attending these courses. All were requested to reply a 13-question exam.

Results : The mean score of pediatrician cases (n=48) and control (n=21) was 10.3±1.5 and 7.5±3.1, respectively (p<0.0001). However, the mean score of general practitioner cases (n=94) and controls (n=58) was 7.6±2.5 and 7.0±3.1, respectively (p<0.026).

Conclusion : Results have revealed that CME courses have effectively improved the physicians' knowledge.