Continuing Medical Education (CME) Optimization

By Shayne Foley, MS, PA-C

During our journey through PA school, we follow an academic roadmap to optimize our didactic and then clinical educations. But, upon graduation and starting our careers, the onus of responsibility to further our education falls upon us, in the form of CME.

CME consists of clinical and professional educational activities that serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that a PA uses to provide services for patients, the public, and the profession. 1

To assist us with our clinical development, the majority of PAs are allotted time and money to spend on CME – an average amount around $2,0002 to $3,000.3 The time allotment can vary greatly, with anywhere between less than one but up to three weeks allowed.

While these allotments of time and funds may sound reasonable to some, they will rarely cover all the costs of a single conference or seminar, let alone licensing and certification fees, should those also fall under the heading of “CME expenses.” So, how do we get the most bang for our employer’s buck and optimize the CME resources given?

Step 1: Review Your Employers CME Policy

As I like to say, “Knowledge is power, and also leverage.” So, the best place to start is knowing what is required of you as it pertains to CME. For certification maintenance via NCCPA, we must report 100 CME credits every two years.4 With that knowledge, the next place to look is your employer’s CME policy, which should contain answers to the following questions:

  1. What types of CME activities are covered (e.g. conferences, home study courses, travel seminars, etc.)?
  2. What types of expenses may be covered (e.g. scrubs/attire, stethoscope, laptops, etc.)?
  3. What types of fees also come out of your CME budget (e.g. state license, DEA, etc.)?

The answers to these questions will establish what your CME budget truly is, and will help you tailor your CME experiences to your needs.

Step Two: Perform a Learning Self-Assessment

Armed with a basic understanding of your CME allowances and restrictions, the next step is to self-assess your optimal learning style. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  1. Do you tend to best retain information via self-directed learning or in a group setting?
  2. Do you learn best via hands-on or prefer more passive learning?
  3. What inputs most stimulate your learning (e.g. audio, visual, etc.)?

If you prefer a group setting with hands-on options and multimedia stimuli, then you should consider an event like the AAPA Conference. If you function better with a self-directed, passive learning style, then you should consider medical-related podcasts or other downloadable resources.

Step Three: Shop Around for Activities or Goods that Serve Your Needs

Once you’ve taken your personal learning inventory via the questions above, you should have a better sense of the types of CME activities that will help you succeed and can start making choices. Keep your eyes open for double and triple wins that increase the relative value of your CME resources. You may also want to consider the following to get additional value from your CME:

  • Networking – attend a group event or activity, either local, regional or national (e.g. M+M rounds at your hospital, PA state chapter conference, etc.)
  • Travel – take a vacation-based CME
  • Teaching – try precepting or other adjunct faculty work
  • Switching Specialties – order a bootcamp course or attend a five-day intensive for your new specialty
  • Increasing Compensation – learn a valuable skill to bring back to your practice and can translate to RVU bonuses (e.g. FAST training)
  • Acquisition of Goods – use your CME purchases to rack up credit card points or gift cards for items that you may need
6 Optimization Pro Tips

If you consistently follow the three steps above, you’ll surely be optimizing your CME resources. In addition to that advice, here are some other tips that will help you make the most out of your CME:

      1. Did you know that AAPA members have access to free CME? Visit CME Central frequently to check out what’s new and available to you at no cost!
      2. Make sure you use all of the CME time and money allotted, and don’t leave it on the table!
      3. Leverage an UpToDate® subscription to acquire abundant credits during your daily practice, which will free you up to have some fun with your CME resources. AAPA members receive a discount!
      4. Pay for CME activities and expenses on your credit card to earn points and ask your employer for reimbursement.
      5. If you can’t find a topic or location that you’re looking for, create your own CME seminar (this really exists!)
      6. Make CME your reason to take a partially-funded family or friend adventure

There are a plethora of ways you can use your CME time and money allotments, and a little investigation goes a long way. You are at the helm of your ongoing education and your employer’s CME resources should be seen as a valuable portion of your compensation. If you implement the three-step process described above and acknowledge that these tips are just the “tip” of the CME iceberg, then your CME optimization should lead to invaluable, fun, and personalized career growth.

References:
  1. https://www.aapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AAPA-CME-Criteria.pdf
  2. 2021 AAPA Salary Report
  3. https://www.merritthawkins.com/uploadedFiles/physician-advanced-practitioner-incentive-review-2021.pdf
  4. https://www.nccpa.net/maintain-certification/continuing-medical-education/

 

 Shayne Foley is a certified and full-time PA with 10 years of practice under his belt. Shayne has worked in internal medicine, urgent care and currently family medicine.  He is involved in PA education as an adjunct faculty member, preceptor and mentor.  In an effort to expand his impact on the profession, he co founded The PA Blueprint, LLC, whose mission is to provide career education to current and future PAs.  They have worked with 30 PA programs around the country, and their work has been featured on AAPA’s Career Central, as well as multiple PA-related podcasts and blogs.  Shayne has established himself as an important contributor to the PA profession through his teaching, writing, and online presence, and is passionate about moving the profession forward.

Thank you for your interest!

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