Continuing Medical Education
Continuing Medical Education refers to higher and more specialized education associated with the medical field. The objective of the curriculum and course work is to facilitate the knowledge specific to the medical field and educate the students regarding the latest trends and developments in the field of medicine. Through Continuing Medical Education, students stay up-to-date with current research, discoveries and methodologies. Course work for Continuing Medical Education is disseminated through various platforms including distance learning. In fact, distant learning is the most used avenue of communication used to impart Continuing Medical Education. The education is done by the means of live shows; lectures recorded either in audio or video format, online or through mail. The learning material provided to the adult is written, reviewed and developed by experts as per current educating requirements in the medical field.
Continuing Medical Education has become compulsory for medical professionals in certain states of America. In Arizona, it is required by the medical personals to take CME after every two, and update their knowledge accordingly to the current requirements. The regulatory job regarding CME in America is performed by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Osteopathic Association.
The foundation and the concept of CME were laid by a famous psychiatrist John Schwartz in 1978. The concept and the goal were to renew the knowledge of clinicians across America by providing them with high quality education. The concept soon became famous amongst hundreds of clinicians and CME became a dependable way for them to satisfy the requirements of modern day medical demands. In the initial phases, Continuing Medical Education was limited to mental health issues. Over the last 15 years, Continuing Medical Education has substantially grown. The Continuing Medical Education programs now include coursework for the clinicians practicing in the field of primary care, neurology, cardiology, pediatrics, oncology and more. In 1985, the CME its first publication regarding psychiatric education. To date it is one of the most acknowledged psychiatric publications in the world. And in 1987 the U.S. Psychiatric & Mental Health Congress was founded which is, to date, stands on the second spot on the largest industry trade show.
Later on, in 1999 medical congress was launched by CME. The main focus of the congress was to spread the knowledge and education regarding the community of the elders. In 1999, a division of United Business Media called CMP Media acquired CME, hence CME carried on expanding consistently. After this acquisition, the Institute started providing the education to a number of medical practitioners in the mode of teleconferences, live meetings, online courses and PDA resources. The efforts were continued by the Congress related towards the issues of Ageing in 2006. Apart from ageing the subject matter was broadened, and it now includes issues regarding pediatrics, men's and women's health and adolescent's health.
Even today CME is in-line with the vision and focus that became the basis of its foundation in 1978. The motive is still to provide the healthcare practitioners with high quality, top standard learning with the help of distinct faculty. Some of the reasons why healthcare practitioners go for CME are certification board requirements, organization membership requirements, hospital credentialing, or personal growth and affirmation.