Continuing medical education (CME) is crucial for physicians to stay up to date with the latest advances and knowledge about procedures, treatments, and therapies. CME can be completed through various formats, including live activities, online learning, print learning, or journal reviews. Accreditation from a medical association or organization is important to ensure the legitimacy of the program.
Lifelong learning is important for everyone, but it is especially crucial for physicians to earn continuing medical education credits. Physicians take actions and make decisions that affect the health – and sometimes even the survival – of their patients. It is essential, therefore, that your medical education is kept up to date. Continuing education and professional development can help ensure that physicians are aware of the latest advances and knowledge about procedures, treatments and therapies, enabling them to provide quality care to patients.
Whether you are a resident or a practicing physician with years of experience, you can enhance your knowledge base, credibility, and professional performance through continuing medical education (CME). Physicians can choose from several formats for completing their CME credits, depending on needs and availability. CME modules may be available in any of the following formats: live activities, online learning, print learning, or journal reviews of the latest medical news and events. Print learning includes items such as workbooks and training manuals; journals can be print or online resources.
In some cases, physicians must complete their continuing medical education credits as hands-on activities, particularly if mastering a new technique is part of the learning unit. Other times, online courses and exams may be sufficient to meet CME requirements. When available, computer-based training and online medical education can provide a more convenient and flexible means for busy medical professionals to acquire required credits and training.
Live onsite activities for continuing medical education credits can include a variety of hands-on training exercises. For example, events around the world, including acts of war and terrorism, and devastating natural disasters, have led to mass casualty and disaster training for medical professionals. Other live training for EMC credits includes demonstrating mastery of surgical preparation and procedures, new techniques for delivering care for specific conditions, and strategic maneuvers to save lives.
CME credits earned through computer-based training or online medical education modules are convenient for today’s practicing physicians with very busy schedules. Modules are available for various topics and categories, covering all relevant areas of an individual physician’s practice. Some CME modules vary based on specific local, regional or national regulations. Other modules cover specific specialist practices such as alternative medicine, bioterrorism, critical care, infectious disease, medical ethics and neurology.
It is important for physicians to verify that the medical education program they choose has the approval and accreditation of their country’s medical association, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) in the US or the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) . Alternatively, programs offering continuing medical education credits may receive accreditation from the International Academy of Continuing Medical Education (IACME). Confirmation that the program has legitimate accreditation assures clinicians that the time and effort expended will count towards CME credits.
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