Office of Continuing Education at CFMC Newsletter


March 2011 CFMC OCE Newsletter
Social Media in CME What is the role of social media in CME? There are many opinions on this subject. Some feel that any opportunity to share information supports the professional development of healthcare professionals and enhances CME. Blogs, online communities, networking sites, customized applications and web chats could provide a forum for perspectives on important issues, problem solving, and improvement of knowledge, competence and performance of healthcare providers. Others feel that social media is an essential tool in amplifying the voice of CME advocacy. Look at what social media has done for advocacy groups around the globe. Social media may become the quickest, simplest and most cost-effective forum for sharing CME successes and challenges. The use of social media in CME was a popular topic at the 2011 Alliance for CME (ACME) annual conference in San Francisco this January. The goal of the social media discussions was to gain an understanding of the specific applications of social media in adult learning, CME, and in healthcare professionals’ communications with patients and colleagues. Many feel that there is an opportunity for social media to improve learning by becoming an integral part of the educational format. Social media also presents the opportunity to enhance physician communication, which could lead to improved patient outcomes.¹ The Alliance for CME issued Social Media Guidelines of the Alliance for CME in January. The goal of these guidelines is to provide best-practices for CME providers venturing into the world of social media. The ACME feels that the discussions generated through social media should “stimulate conversation and present a variety of perspectives, not to create contention.” The guidelines go on to encourage CME providers to use social media to add value, which it defines as the following: “worthwhile information and perspective; if it helps you, your coworkers, and/or members to do their jobs, solve problems, and improve knowledge or skills; if it builds a sense of community; or if it advocates for the CME/CE/CPD professional or the profession.”² Others in the medical community are becoming active participants in social media. The Mayo Clinic has recently launched the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media, which educates medical professionals and health-related organizations in applying social media to do their work more effectively, and to lead to greater overall engagement with patients. The Mayo Clinic’s vision for this Center is to be “the authentic voice for patients and health care professionals, building relationships through the revolutionary power of social media.”³ The role of social media in CME has yet to be clearly defined, but there is little doubt that it will become an important part of CME in some way. A 2010 survey of CME providers found that 51% of medical education and communication companies are already using social media in conjunction with its CME program.⁴ The number is sure to increase in the coming years. REFERENCES: Alliance for CME. 2011 annual conference abstracts. Available at: http://www.acme-assn.org/home/abstracts/11abs.pdf. Accessed March 3, 2011. Alliance for CME. Social media guidelines of the alliance for CME. Available at: https://www.acme-assn.org/home/Social_Media_Guidelines.pdf. Accessed March 5, 2011. The Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic center for social media. Available at: http://socialmedia.mayoclinic.org/. Accessed March 3, 2011. Meetingsnet.com. Survey of how CME providers use social media. Available at: http://meetingsnet.com/social-media/0301-socially-networked-cme/. Accessed March 6, 2011. Take Your Education National with CFMC’s eLearning Solutions CFMC’s Office of Continuing Education supports its customers in taking their education national through the use of CFMC’s new product: online eLearning services. By combining our experience in continuing education content with superb technological resources, CFMC’s Office of Continuing Education now develops and executes high-quality online healthcare educational courses. In today’s market, online education is a major asset to any healthcare organization’s continuing education program. National Audience Affordable Convenient Learning Resource—Available to Learners 24/7 Accredited Programs Developed applying Adult Learning Principles Electronic Evaluations & Outcomes Measurement Tools Immediate Credit Certificate Delivery In-house Technical Assistance CME Consulting Services Live & Online Courses Visit yourCEsource.org for more information about our continuing education services to award credit to physicians, nurses, psychologists, and others. You may also call Lorraine Pickrell at 1-800-950-8250, ext. 3372. CFMC Upcoming Educational Activities Visit www.yourCEsource.org for a complete list of upcoming educational activities.