Continuing Education Online

Last week I talked about the role of continuing education online, or more generally the internet, in our lives as medical professionals. I am an internet buff and I spend most of my free time online. Fortunately, I came across this continuing education online program called “iScience 2011”.

iScience is an all-inclusive digital library that holds all topics, learning materials, and knowledge presented at American College of Cardiology (ACC) 11 and i2 summit. Even if you missed the ACC summit, you can now hear top-of-the-line cardiology experts talk about various topics relevant to our profession. Each presentation you will get with the iScience package includes the speaker’s slides synchronized with an accompanying audio.

Like all other continuing education online activities, the objective of iScience is to keep you up to date on the most recent happenings and discoveries on cardiovascular science, apply all information you gained from the program to your day to day clinical activities, and help you improve patient care. The video resolution of iScience 2011 is better than ever before and it now has a more efficient search capabilities.

I think that this is one of the best examples of the benefits of continuing education online. I know that a lot of cardiologists, advance practice nurses, and all other medical professionals who work with patients in this department wanted to join the ACC 11 and i2 Summit; however, some of their schedules did not allow them to hear experts talk about a variety of cardiology topics. Now, however, you can listen to the exact same presentation at home, while in the clinic, or even when you are on a trip. That, my friend, is the beauty of continuing education online.

To learn more about iScience 2011 you can visit the ACC site. Visit Apollo Audibooks and see many different choices of CME audiobooks.  

Juggling Between Work and CME? Try Continuing Education Online!

The internet has opened a whole new realm of possibilities for us. Not only does the internet make the world smaller by bringing people from the other side of the planet closer to you, the internet also allows us to simplify our work; and CME is not exempted.

CME or Continuing Medical Education is a way for medical professionals to continually grow in their field. With CME, all members of the medical health team can stay up to date with the recent developments in the medical science. This can be attained by attending seminars, workshops, and even small-group discussions directly related to one’s profession. You may also enrol in courses that will give you more knowledge and in-depth understanding of your work. However, most (if not all) of us already have our hands tied at work; the hectic schedule, the long nights, and other responsibilities. That is why it can be extremely difficult to make time for CME.

Not anymore! With the birth of continuing education online, you can now juggle between work and CME by just turning on your computer. Continuing education online gives you the edge by allowing you to control your schedule; you can “go back to school” when you want it, where you want it. You can participate in your CME course even when you are sent to Kathmandu for a special assignment (or anywhere with an internet connection for that matter).

Even with the advantage provided by the internet, it is still possible to get side-tracked every now and then: the little household chores it takes forever to finish, and of course, Facebook, twitter, and the NBA play-offs. Here are some tips you can follow to make sure you can focus on your CME:

1. Put CME at the top of your priorities! Okay, you can put it next to your work and family, but it should at least be on your top five priorities.

2. Learn to delegate. Small household chores can be delegated to your partner or the kids. If you are living alone, consider paying a teenager a few dollars to clean your house once a week.

3. Stay away from Facebook, Twitter, and all other destracting websites. One disadvantage of studying online is the fact that the internet is home to a lot of addictive social networking sites; I am guilty as charged! I can spend hours and hours in front of the computer and not finish anything; then I realize I spent all those hours on Facebook. Although it is important that you unwind and relax from time to time, try to put it to a minimum. Cut your Facebook usage to half an hour per day or less; you’d be surprised how much you can finish without social networking sites.

Check out some of your other alternatives to traditional CME Courses here like audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, and Online CME courses. You can stay up-to-date with CME News here.