The effectiveness of a scientific symposium to change urologists' attitude towards treatment of LUTS/BPH

Abstract

Purpose The use of interactive voting systems in continuing education helps to evaluate the alteration in the audience's views after a presentation. This study was designed to evaluate whether urologists' attitude towards management of benign prostate hyperplasia can be changed, and to estimate objectively the achievement of educational goals by using an interactive voting system. Methods The audience attitude was repetitively estimated by responding to questions using wireless keypads. Educational goal achievement was calculated by adding the percentage of those changing their opinion from "wrong" to "right" and that of those insisting on their initial "right" opinion. Results Giving a "wrong" answer and the probability of opinion change were independent of age and board certification. Being initially on the "wrong" side resulted in a greater probability of opinion change. The educational goals were achieved in 20.8-86.2% of cases. Conclusions Satellite symposia are helpful learning environments. The use of an interactive voting system may help to evaluate objectively the achievement of educational goals.