Evaluation of Speakers at CME: Cosmecon 2006, An International Conference on Ageing and Anti-ageing

AIM: To determine what constitutes effective or ineffective lecturing in dermatological conferences and also the utility of a scientific programme for the dermatologists. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Evaluation forms were circulated to delegates attending the Cosmecon conference on ageing and anti-ageing, held in July 2006 at Bangalore. Feedback from the delegates in the form of completed evaluation forms of individual speakers and each session of the 3-day conference Cosmecon (including the live workshop on aesthetic and surgical procedures) were studied. Comments were analysed with the help of a biostatistician to determine the positive and negative responses. RESULTS: On day 1 of the conference, workshop included 14 procedures by different specialists and on the second and third days of the conference, there were a total of 10 sessions, with five on each day. Evaluation forms were handed out to 440 delegates on day 1 and 600 delegates on days 2 and 3. Fifty-five speakers were evaluated by an average 56 delegates out of 440 delegates on day 1 and 600 delegates on the second and third days. The delegate response to completing the evaluation form was poor. Only about 25% of the delegates completed the feedback forms. However, the feedback did give some insight to the scientific programme, on both positive and negative aspects. Most delegates stated that they benefited from the presentations. The main negative response was lack of opportunity to ask questions after a lecture. The main positive comment was that the time keeping in the conference was very good. CONCLUSION: The response of the delegates in providing feedback was poor. Efforts have to be made to educate and encourage delegates to complete the feedback forms. Systematic review of the speakers would provide information to design future CME programmes effectively and to incorporate improvements for effective lecturing and to avoid ineffective lectures. The CME evaluation can also help the organizers to provide training to presenters and to monitor performance.