Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Ongoing education for medical professionals that aims to maintain, develop, and increase knowledge, skills, and professional performance throughout their careers.

 

Accreditation

The process by which CME activities are evaluated and approved by authorized organizations to ensure they meet established standards and objectives.

 

Credit Hours

Units of measurement assigned to CME activities, typically based on the duration and intensity of the educational experience. These credit hours are often required for medical professionals to maintain licensure.

 

Live Activity

CME events that take place in real-time, such as conferences, workshops, seminars, and symposiums, where participants engage with instructors and fellow professionals.

 

Enduring Material

CME activities that can be completed at the learner’s own pace and time, including online courses, recorded lectures, webinars, and self-assessment modules.

 

Needs Assessment

The process of identifying the knowledge or skill gaps among healthcare professionals to determine the most relevant topics and formats for CME activities.

 

Point-of-Care Learning

CME activities designed to address immediate clinical questions and challenges encountered by healthcare professionals in their day-to-day practice, often utilizing digital resources and decision support tools.

 

Interprofessional Education (IPE) 

CME activities that involve collaboration between healthcare professionals from different disciplines, fostering teamwork, communication, and a holistic approach to patient care.

 

MOC (Maintenance of Certification)

Requirements established by specialty boards for physicians to maintain their board certification, often including completion of CME activities, self-assessment examinations, and performance evaluations.

 

Quality Improvement (QI)

CME activities focused on enhancing patient outcomes and healthcare delivery by implementing evidence-based practices, reducing medical errors, and optimizing clinical processes.

 

Performance Improvement (PI)

CME activities aimed at assessing and enhancing individual or group performance based on established metrics and benchmarks, leading to improved patient care and professional development.

 

Simulation-Based Learning

CME activities that use simulated clinical scenarios and technologies to replicate real-life patient care situations, allowing healthcare professionals to practice and refine their clinical skills in a safe environment.

 

Peer Review

Evaluation of CME activities by other healthcare professionals or subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and effectiveness in meeting educational objectives.

 

Feedback Mechanism

Systems and processes for collecting input from participants regarding the quality, content, and delivery of CME activities, enabling organizers to continually improve their offerings.

 

CME Credit Transcript

A record documenting an individual’s completion of CME activities and the corresponding credit hours earned, often used for licensure renewal, certification maintenance, and professional development tracking.