Looking to get out of the office? Ready for a beachside or city-centered vacation? You’re in luck—travel CME (continuing medical education) makes it easy to expand your knowledge while exploring the nation.

But how do you get started? Where should you go? What is necessary for travel CME for physicians and advanced practice providers? You’ve got questions, and we’ve got answers. Follow these simple steps to plan your next CME vacation!

Define Your Goals and Objectives

One of the first things you should do when planning a CME getaway is define goals and objectives. Maybe you have a primary purpose for the trip, or perhaps you’d like to accomplish multiple goals.

Regardless of the reasons, it’s helpful to identify them before further planning to help inform your other decisions. Here are some questions to get you started:

• What CME topics are you interested in learning more about?
• Do you need to satisfy any state or licensing requirements?
• What do you want to get out of the CME seminar?
• Do you want to expand your knowledge in a particular subject?
• What type of vacation or trip activities would you like to do?

Once you answer these questions, you can move on to the rest of the planning process.

Choose a Vacation-Worthy CME Destination

While the CME topic is integral, physicians can have fun too! When choosing potential CME seminars, consider looking for ones in destinations you’d like to travel to. Maybe you want to relax by the beach or hit the ski slopes. You could also explore the culture of a new city or golf on a new course.

Once you have a desired location, search for a CME provider that offers half-day conference schedules. These help you spend the rest of the day enjoying yourself. You could also consider extending your stay with extra days so you have more time to explore.

Set a Budget

Now that you know what you want to accomplish (and where to go), it’s time to set a budget. Vacationing requires strategic spending, even if the trip is to learn more about a medical topic!

First, you’ll need to determine your CME allowance. This allowance is the money an employer or other sponsoring organization will cover toward CME-related expenses. These amounts can vary by state and facility, so it’s crucial to find yours before booking anything.

In general, CME budgets often cover event registration fees, though in some cases, you can use them on other costs like lodging. You’ll need to budget for additional out-of-pocket expenses that aren’t covered, such as flights and rental cars.

Check CME Credit Eligibility

Another crucial part of CME trip planning should be checking for credit eligibility. Ensure any CME provider you choose is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

Researching the seminar speakers’ backgrounds and professional experience can also help. You’ll want to ensure the CME is relevant to your specialty and professional requirements so you can earn credit and apply what you learned to your practice.

Register for the CME Conference

Once you’ve got all the logistics down, register for your chosen selections as early as possible to guarantee a spot. Some providers even offer discounts for early registration, which could help you save money!

Select Dates That Meet Your Needs

Part of the registration process will mean selecting dates for the trip. How do you know which ones meet your or your team’s needs? Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Weather or climate
Are you interested in a warm beach vacation? Snowy ski getaway? Do you want to escape the weather where you live and enjoy something different for a change? Consider the destination’s typical weather at that time of year to see if it meets your preferences.

Coordination
Meet up with friends from medical school or residency days and old coworkers by choosing the same event! Selecting the same dates allows you to catch up with them during free time.

School breaks
Planning a trip with the whole family? Choose seminars that align with breaks in the school calendar, like winter holidays, summer vacation, or long weekends.

Book Accommodations and Schedule Transportation

Here’s where the process becomes even more fun—booking accommodations and transportation! Start here:

Transportation
Book flights or train rides to and from the destination. Consider rideshare, public transit, or car rental costs for travel to leisure activities.

Lodging
Choose a hotel or another accommodation option for you or your team. Often, you can stay at the hotel or resort where the conference will be held for a discounted rate.

Choose Lodging That Works for You

If the accommodations at the CME seminar don’t meet your needs or preferences, you can always opt for somewhere else! Search for nearby lodging with what you’re looking for—like suites, adults-only amenities, pools, or restaurants.

Attend the Conference

All that’s left to do now is pack your bags and head to your CME trip! Once you’ve settled into the hotel, arrive early to the seminar or workshop, and then:

• Attend all required sessions
• Engage in activities or discussions
• Participate in Q&A sessions
• Take notes to bring home with you
• Network with other medical professionals

Watch for any schedule changes, updates, or other announcements relating to the CME sessions.

Have Fun

Once sessions end each day, it’s time to relax, explore, or do whatever your heart desires. Possible leisure activities include tourist attractions, beaches and pools, and outdoor activities.

To make the most of your free time, book tickets in advance for the things you’d like to do, like museums or tours.

Gather What You’ve Learned and Your CME Documentation

To receive credit for the CME, you’ll need documentation to provide to your facility, medical board, or other organizations. Some groups need more information than others, but having these documents tucked aside for the future is also beneficial. This information includes:

• Proof of purchase(s)
• Proof of attendance

Afterward, you can implement new ideas or techniques in your practice. Here are some ways to save the information for future use:

• Write out challenges, set goals, and prepare questions.
• Ask your colleagues about how they intend to use conference content.
• Decide which scenarios are the best opportunities to use new techniques safely.
• Identify success metrics.

And there you have it. Planning continuing medical education travel takes effort, but it’s worth it so you can enjoy the best of both learning and relaxation.

Ready to turn education into an experience? Browse nationwide CME destinations today to get started!