Continuing Education for Medical Doctors

Evolving technology, techniques and procedures require a doctor to remain competent and informed of the newest advancements in their field of specialty. Each state governs the yearly Continuing Medical Education requirements needed to remain a licensed medical doctor. A number of avenues exist for receiving continuing education credits; however, each program must be accredited following guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

Types

• Continuing Medical Education credits consists of spending a certain number of qualifying hours in lectures, seminars, workshops or hands-on training programs. An accredited Continuing Medical Education program gives one Continuing Education Unit credit for every 10 hours spent in a program.


• Each field of medicine focuses on its own unique topics and techniques. General physicians often extend their overall depth of medical knowledge through lectures and workshops on new pharmacological treatments or chronic disease management techniques. Surgeons often participate in hands-on training programs that demonstrate new surgical techniques and advancements in surgical equipment.


• In addition to learning new medical techniques and procedures, doctors receive continuing education credit for attending accredited programs in medical ethics, theories and scientific research. Such courses help a doctor develop and maintain a high professional performance and build lifelong relationships with their patients. 

Accreditation

• To receive credit for fulfilling continuing education requirements, certain guidelines must be followed. The program needs to meet the stringent guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, ACCME, under the direction of the American Medical Association, AMA.


• Training coursework consists of two different categories based on the method of training. Category 1 CME credits use formal classes and curriculum followed by a comprehensive skills test. Category 2 CME credits consist of self-lead learning, which includes independent research and teaching medical students.

Requirements

• Each state defines the number and type of Continuing Medical Education credit hours for doctors licensed in their state. Doctors must submit documentation of completed credits to their state’s licensing board to receive credit for the continuing education units.