Continuing medical education: AMEE Education Guide No 35

Abstract

This guide is designed to provide a foundation for developing effective continuing medical education (CME) for practicing physicians. For the purposes of this work, continuing medical education is defined as any activity which serves 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 (American Medical Association 2007; Accreditation Council for CME 2007). The term continuing professional development (CPD) is broader and has become more popular in many areas of the world. As defined by Stanton and Grant, CPD includes educational methods beyond the didactic, embodies concepts of self-directed learning and personal development and considers organizational and systemic factors (Stanton & Grant 1997). In fact, this guide describes many modalities that may be defined as CME or CPD. In the interest of simplicity, we will use the term continuing medical education (CME) throughout, with the understanding that the same strategies may be applied to non-clinical continuing professional education.

For those who do not work exclusively in CME, many terms and processes may be unfamiliar. This guide is intended to provide a broad overview of the discipline of CME as well as a pragmatic approach to the practice of CME. The format provides an overview of CME including history and rationale for the discipline, followed by a practical approach to developing CME activities, the management of the overall CME programme and finally, future trends. At the end of the guide you will find resources including readings, websites and professional associations to assist in the development and management of CME programmes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nancy Davis

Dr. NANCY DAVIS has previously served as the Director of CME for the American Academy of Family Physicians as well as the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She has been a long time leader in CME serving as the president of the Society for Academic CME and as the Chair of CME Directors for the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. She has authored numerous publications and is a frequent speaker and teacher in CME professional venues.

David Davis

Dr. DAVID DAVIS, a family physician, is widely recognized for his leadership in developing and testing innovations in physician education. While serving as Chair of Continuing Education at McMaster University he effectively applied problem-based learning principles to CME and developed a systematic, outcomes-based focus on CME. His research in the area of CME effectiveness is amongst the most cited in medical education literature. He has served as president of both the Alliance for CME and the Society for Academic CME and served as a Petersdorf Scholar-in-Residence at the Association of American Medical Colleges prior to joining the staff there. (Dr. Nancy Davis and Dr. David Davis are not related.)

Ralph Bloch

Dr. BLOCH has had a distinguished career in clinical practice and medical education and provided the European perspective for this Guide. He is a graduate of the McMaster Medical School. Recently retired from his position as director of the Institute for Medical Education at the University of Bern in Switzerland, he has returned to his alma mater to teach part time.