Session Description: Supporters of independent medical education (IME) approach the process for setting and executing strategies for IME support differently. Although all IME strategies should be grounded in evidence from literature reviews, needs assessments, and other relevant inputs to identify educational gaps, detailing support for specific strategic decisions remains a complex challenge. IME teams often struggle to establish comprehensive strategies and justify decisions regarding grant support. During 2024, the IME team at Eli Lilly initiated a project aimed at developing a tool that would provide guidance and decision support to ensure effectiveness of IME strategies. The goal was to develop a tool with evidence-based parameters, considerations, and guidance to aid in the formulation of strategic IME grant planning. The tool takes into account how various educational design approaches should be aligned to best address knowledge, competence, and performance-based educational goals, which formats best support the educational design, and considerations for outcomes planning. The tool aims not only to standardize the decision-making process but also to improve the overall quality and impact of the IME initiatives supported.
During this session, we intend to outline the drivers behind the creation of this guidance tool, challenges in current literature, and evidence supporting continuing educational design and formats. We will also demonstrate how such a tool is currently being used and advise on how similar systematic methods can be adopted by organizations to refine their approach to decision-making.
Learning Objectives:
Explore the benefits of an IME effectiveness decision guidance tool.
Recognize the practical applications an IME effectiveness decision guidance tool.
Consider the application of an IME effectiveness decision guidance tool within your organization.
