The Institute of Medicine report, “Redesigning Continuing Education in the Health Professions,” is available online at
'There have been a lot of changes in CME … that were completely overlooked by the committee.'
Source DR. KENNISON
My Take
Examine Effectiveness and Cost
Through the establishment of a professionally inclusive public-private institute, research on the effectiveness of continuing education models could inform the health professional community about how best to develop educational programs and continuing professional competencies.
Although interdisciplinary health team education might improve outcomes for patients, it's difficult to assess the value of single interventions on outcomes. Also, each profession, such as medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, will continue to have specific needs for professional education.
Several institutions have embraced the newest standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Their modified programs involve outcomes evaluation and active learning, and avoid potential conflicts of interest associated with financial support by the pharmaceutical and device industries. But in an era of economic constraints, particularly for primary care providers, new standards developed by any organization must consider not only educational efficacy but also efficiency and cost.