CME: It’s Not Just For License Renewal

IN A NUTSHELL:

• Refine skills to improve overall patient care
• Earn membership in professional organizations
• Take courses online to reduce costs

Similar to many industries that rely in part upon technology, heath care is continuously changing as new innovations improve patient care and how it is delivered.

Yet in order for this to be feasible, a health care provider must keep educating themselves long after they receive their degree. By continuously learning, a health care professional can provide the highest possible level of patient care, advance their career, improve the reputation of their facility, and more.

A physician, nurse or other health care provider endures years of nonstop education, and the learning continues throughout their career with continuing medical education, also known as CME. According to the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the definition of continuing medical education is:

“Educational activities which serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The content of CME is that body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the provision of health care to the public.”

The ACCME is the international premier accreditation organization for continuing medical education and professional development. Their accreditation ensures that a CME programs meet rigorous and high standards of relevance, effectiveness and independence for today’s medical practitioners.

Continuing Medical Education allows a health care provider to learn and discover ways to improve patient care and effectively manage a career in the ever-changing health care industry. It is only a matter of time before a health care provider, no matter their specialty, encounters an instance with a patient that med school did not cover.

CME requirements are different depending upon a provider’s medical disciplines, yet they are equally important no matter the scope of practice.

The values of continuing medical education to health care providers are:

• Refine skills to improve overall patient care
• Stay current with the latest developments within their specialty
• Address real-world challenges that health care professionals face day to day
• Gain professional growth and a means to advance career status
• Meet licensing/certification requirements
• Learn effective medical team management skills
• Earn membership in professional organizations

CME for Improved Patient Care

Not a day goes by that a new medical study isn’t published or advancements are made in the industry. These findings and innovations impact how patients with certain medical conditions should be assessed, treated, and cared for. As a result, medical professionals have a responsibility to their patients to continue their education and stay on top of these changes. Only by doing so can they confidently provide patients with the level of care they deserve.

CME for Career Advancement

Furthermore, CME is vital for health care professionals who want to be able to advance their careers. Staying on top of one’s education and changes in the industry demonstrates a proactive personality–a trait that many employers take note of and see in an extremely positive light.

Further to gaining professional growth, clinicians who continue their education are better able to manage medical teams and address/overcome challenges seen on a day-to-day basis within the workplace.

Examples of general CME topics for physicians include:

• Management, for physicians responsible for managing a health care facility
• Educational methodology, for physicians teaching in a medical school
• Practice management, for physicians interested in providing better service to patients
• Coding and reimbursement in a medical practice

Examples of specialty CME topics include:

• Any topics geared toward a specific scope of practice
• Courses that dive into public health concerns
• Courses related to COVID-19

 Benefits of CEU credits for Nurses:

Nurses operate on unusual work schedules, and it can be difficult to comprehend squeezing continuing education units (CEUs) into their life on the side. However, the importance of continuing education for nurses can prove critical in upholding their career.

• Develop New Skills
• Grow as an Employee
• Maintain Your License
• Re-ignite Your Passion

Some CME courses allow a health care worker to obtain multiple credits for different purposes, such a license renewal and membership of professional organizations.

Continuing Medical Education in the Online World:

In the age of COVID-19, combined with the decline in available budgets for CME reimbursements, many health care providers now participate in online CME classes to complete their credit hours. The primary benefit of online CME is the reduced cost. Health care providers don’t have to pay for travel and accommodation when they take online courses.

Selecting the most beneficial online CME course does not have to be difficult, but it should be done so in a manner that it will make sure you accomplish your career objectives. Intiva Health’s Ready Doc™ Learning allows you to access hundreds of free, ACCME-accredited CME / CEU courses for nurses and physicians on any device. Simply filter by accreditation, state, and more than 20 different professions to quickly find what you’re looking for. The platform also allows you to keep track of the credits you have earned and print certificates.

Remember that it’s also good practice for any health care provider to protect their career by purchasing personal HIPAA Breach Insurance. Intiva Health has partnered with Lloyd’s of London to bring an entire quote and binding service online and we offer the market’s most affordable cyber insurance. Learn more on our website.

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