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 Beginning
with the January 2005 edition of Anesthesiology,
a new article-based continuing medical education (CME)
program will be launched. The new program was endorsed
by a strategic planning committee of ASA and the American
Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) on CME activities and
has been “in the works” for over a year.
Some ASA members might question whether another CME
program or product is needed. Hopefully many of you
will find value in the new program, which is similar
to other journal-based CME programs.1
Many anesthesiologists need to re-evaluate how they
obtain CME credits and reconsider how they participate
in CME activities. Travel to CME meetings takes individuals
away from family and work. In addition travel to CME
meetings with family can make serious learning a challenge.
Of note the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical
Education has increased its scrutiny of CME programs
and the participation of individuals. ABA and indeed
all 24 medical specialties that compose the American
Board of Medical Specialties continue to move toward
a certification model based on “maintenance of
certification” (MOC) and “lifelong learning
and self-assessment” (LL-SA).2
Assessment of professional competence also is being
developed on several fronts.3
All these factors and more have contributed to the changing
landscape of CME.
The program is simple. Each month, one article (and
maybe an accompanying editorial) will be chosen to be
the focus of the journal-based CME program. After reading
the article, subscribers can review the CME program
instructions and questions in the journal but must log
on to the ASA Web site to participate in the program.
After successful completion online, participants can
earn up to one category 1 CME credit hour per month.
Readers may wonder of what value 1 CME credit hour might
be. If an individual, however, successfully completes
the new program every month, the number of CME credits
obtained will equal approximately half of the category
1 credits (25) that are needed annually as defined by
ABA for MOC.2
The program is inexpensive, costing only $10 per month
or $60 for a yearly subscription. Hopefully the ease
with which CME credits can be obtained through this
new program as well as the value of its content will
be appealing to many ASA members and other qualified
individuals.
References:
1. CME in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. J
Cardiothoracic Vasc Anes. 2003; (17)5: 680-682.
2. Report from the president. ABA News. 2003;
(16)1:1.
3. Gabel RA. Performance measurement. ASA
Newsl.
2003; 67(11):5-8.
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Peter
L. Bailey, M.D., is Professor of Anesthesiology
and Director of Cardiac Anesthesiology, University
of Rochester, Rochester, New York. |
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