Although CME credits are required to maintain your license and enhance your skillset, you may wonder how to get the most from them. Whether this is your first time earning CME credits or you want to try something new, understanding what makes a course effective can help you make more informed decisions.

How to Choose Effective CME

What’s “effective” can be subjective and vary among professionals. In this case, “effective” could mean how well you retain the information and what you feel you’ve gained from the CME.

With that in mind, we’ve put together guidelines you can use to help you determine which CME options are appropriate for your needs.

1. Choose Topics in Your Specialty or Areas of Interest

When researching CME topics, you’ll want to consider how you can expand your knowledge or your career trajectory. For example, primary care doctors benefit most from those related to their field or relevant to their patients’ needs. Look for topics like:

• Diseases, illnesses, injuries, and conditions you see commonly in your practice
• New and evolving treatments and medications
• Common comorbidities

Another option would be career-related topics outside of your specialty. Leadership and management are popular among professionals who want to move further up the ladder.

2. Select Options That Best Fit Your Learning Style

Everyone has preferred learning styles, which can play a role in the effectiveness of CME. To get the most out of your experience, you’ll want to choose the ones that best align with your preferences. Common types of learning include:

• Visual
• Auditory
• Kinesthetic (tactile)
• Reading and writing

Discover which ones work best for you. Maybe you’re a reader-writer, but you also like visual demonstrations—in that case, you can switch between these types of CME as desired. Activities that align with these learning styles include:

• Enduring materials: Reading and writing
• Audio and video lectures: Auditory and visual
• Simulations: Kinesthetic (tactile)
• Live events: Varies
• Workshops: Kinesthetic (tactile)

Similarly, you should also consider the time commitments for each activity. Returning to our example, a reader-visual learner could choose self-directed materials when busy. Then, they could transition to live seminars when their schedule clears.

3. Research the Presenters or CME Providers

Once you’ve narrowed down these variables, you can look at CME providers and presenters. Researching these individuals or educational bodies helps ensure you receive relevant, evidence-based information.

Programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) are high-quality and relevant. These courses are also more likely to help you:

• Improve patient safety
• Foster teamwork and collaboration
• Enhance preventative care

Another aspect to consider is your state’s licensure or specialty requirements. The goal is to find CME to expand your knowledge and meet regulations, making research a critical component of the selection process.

4. Find Flexible Options

Healthcare professionals lead busy lives, making finding time for CME challenging. That’s why flexibility is an integral part of effective options.

Think about your or your team’s availability. During busier seasons, you may opt for virtual CME sessions that make attendance easier. It’s also crucial to consider how online CME platforms work. Are there live sessions you have to attend, or are they self-directed so you can work on them whenever you have the capacity?

Attending in-person events can benefit you or your team, but planning ahead can help you create a better experience. Choose destinations with comfortable accommodations and reliable transportation.

Enhance the Effectiveness of CME With High-Quality Conferences

One of the easiest ways to ensure you receive a beneficial CME experience is by attending accredited and relevant seminars. Whether you prefer in-person, livestreams, or on-demand CME, plenty of options are available to fit your needs.