A method for evaluating physicians' practice behavior after undertaking continuing medical education (CME) conducted by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) was developed and tested during 1983-1985. The literature on CME effectiveness and physician behavior change was reviewed. Physicians who were trained interviewers conducted telephone interviews that incorporated behavioral objectives. Medical chart reviews were used to help validate interview data. The evaluation was based on interview data obtained from two groups: (1) 49 physicians (out of 80) who took a course on the use of echocardiography; and (2) 53 (out of 80) participants in a course on coronary patient rehabilitation. The practice behavior of physicians who did not attend the courses was also documented by interviews. The interview method was assessed using the criteria of accuracy, sensitivity, feasibility, and interpretability. In addition to findings about post-course physican practice behaviors and the value of the interview method, appended materials include: pre- and post-program interview protocols for both courses, results of chart surveys, case studies that describe behavioral changes (or no change) for attendees, and case studies that discuss practice behavior for physicians who did not attend the courses. (SW)