OBJECTIVETo compare the impact of two different continuing education models: traditional model and a new model entitled "problem-oriented and case-based" mutual pattern and "train the trainer" course, on improving hypertension diagnosis and treatment competence of community physicians.

METHODSA total of 632 physicians from 22 district and community hospitals in Haidian district (new model) and 20 district and community hospitals in Chaoyang district (traditional model) in Beijing were trained during July to October 2002. The survey was carried out before and 2 years after training with examination questionnaire.

RESULTSThe competence evaluated as a score (maximal 100) for hypertension diagnosis and treatment of physicians was similar in physicians before training from the two districts. Post training, the score significantly increased from 40.0 to 47.4 (P < 0.01) in physicians from Chaoyang district and from 40.5 to 70.5 (P < 0.01) in physicians from Haidian district and the final score for physicians from Haidian district is significantly higher than that for physicians from increased from Chaoyang district (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe new model is more efficient for improving community physician's competence for diagnosing and treating hypertension.