A comparison of two needs assessments methods: Clinical recall interviews and focus groups

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Abstract
A project was conducted to determine physician learning needs in two areas of psychiatry: panic disorder and depression. Focus groups and clinical recall interviews were both used to determine learning needs, and a comparison was conducted of the two techniques. Both methods provided similar data. Clinical recall interviews gave better quantification of data. Focus groups identified unsolicited information about the problems physicians were having diagnosing illnesses and managing patients. Focus groups were less expensive for the continuing medical education (CME) provider. Recruitment for the clinical recall interviews was more easily done. Both techniques can be helpful for determining learning needs from which to develop CME programming, although an awareness of the strengths and limitations of each technique is important.

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