Writing Learning Objectives for Category 1 CME Activities

Example objective At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to: Analyze various electronic medical records software for implementation in their practices Discuss the benefits of electronic medical records with their employees Develop an implementation plan for purchasing and integrating electronic medical records

Learning objectives are critical for planning and evaluating Category 1 activities as well as helping prospective participants determine if the activity meets their needs or interests.

Learning objectives should be developed after the educational needs for the activity have been identified. The objectives should support the needs assessment findings.  

A learning objective is a brief, clear statement of what the participant should be able to do after participating in the educational activity. A well-written objective is specific and measurable. Keep the following in mind:

• Write objectives from the perspective of the learner. Begin with the statement “At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:”
• Use active verbs, such as those below, and be specific. Avoid vague terms such as "know," "learn," "comprehend," "study," "cover," and "understand."
• Learning must be observable and measurable so that the learner can assess if the activity was successful and beneficial.

Objectives should be conveyed to the participants in writing prior to the learning activity.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society requires that learning objectives are included in promotional materials for a Category 1 educational activity.

It's also valuable for a presenter to review objectives orally at the beginning of a session so participants can ask clarifying questions and modifications can be made, if necessary.

Finally, the objectives should be evaluated at the conclusion of the activity to verify if the identified need was met. The Medical Society includes an evaluation of the learning objectives on its standard evaluation form.

Verbs to use
Information
Cite Count Define Describe Draw	Identify Indicate List Name Point	Quote Read Recite Recognize Record	Relate Repeat Select State Summarize	Tabulate Tell Trace Update Write
Comprehension
Assess Associate Classify Compare Compute	Contrast Demonstrate Describe Differentiate Discuss	Distinguish Estimate Explain Express Extrapolate	Interpolate Interpret Locate Predict Report	Restate Review Translate
Application
Apply Calculate Complete Demonstrate Develop Dramatize	Employ Examine Illustrate Interpolate Interpret Locate	Match Operate Order Practice Predict Prescribe	Relate Report Restate Review Schedule Select	Sketch Solve Translate Treat Use Utilize
Analysis
Analyze Appraise Contract Criticize	Debate Deduce Detect Diagram	Differentiate Distinguish Experiment Infer	Inspect Inventory Measure Question	Separate Summarize
Synthesis
Arrange Assemble Collect Compose Combine	Construct Create Design Detect Document	Formulate Generalize Integrate Manage Organize	Plan Prepare Prescribe Produce Propose	Specify Validate
Evaluation
Appraise Assess Choose Compare	Critique Decide Determine Estimate	Evaluate Grade Judge Measure	Rank Rate Recommend Revise	Score Select Test
Verbs to avoid
Appreciate Believe Have faith in Know Learn Understand