When you decide to be a doctor, you know that the career you are undertaking is a difficult profession. It is an emotionally and mentally challenging job that requires those who pursue it to exercise the utmost discipline and commitment to upholding the highest standards of care possible.
Such pursuits are a lifelong task. Not only is this due to the fact that all physicians need to be able to offer their patients the very best when it comes to their healthcare, but there are also set requirements that are necessary for the maintenance of a medical license. Without meeting these requirements, a physician would no longer be allowed to practice medicine in their state.
The question this leads to is, “is it possible to stay up to date with these latest medical advancements?” This article looks into 3 ways that answer yes to that question.
Solution One: CME Credits
One of the ways in which the state licensing boards ensure that all licensed physicians are current with the latest information is by requiring them to complete a certain amount of Continuing Medical Education credits within a set amount of time. These credits can be earned in any number of ways as long as they meet the requirements set by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
What could be viewed as one of the more popular ways in which physicians earn their CME credits is through enrolling in a course that focuses on the advancements made in specific areas of medicine. Such courses can be physician-led and prove to be incredibly interactive and informative, like the ones offered by Empire Medical Training. Having web-based resources is also a major draw for many doctors.
Solution Two: Doing Research
The rate at which medical advancements are made seems to increase year by year. Some physicians act as medical researchers contributing to such advancements. Any breakthroughs or studies of note can be published in medical journals for circulation. Such journals can be specific to a particular specialty or pertain to the world of medicine in general. Medical journals are an excellent resource for anyone interested in staying abreast of new information available. It is important for physicians to take the initiative to stay current on developments in their fields. This means turning to other means of research, too, such as:
- News articles
- Email alerts from other colleagues
- Medical news from around the world
- Mobile apps that provide the latest research
- Podcasts
Solution Three: Interacting With Peers
The world of medicine has always been one wherein the importance of peers and colleagues sharing information and knowledge with one another is prevalent. While this fact served as the origin for the concept of medical journals, the practice of sharing medical knowledge with one’s peers in a more informal manner is common practice within the medical community.
Nothing helps doctors stay current quite like interacting with their peers. One doctor’s experience with a particular case might be completely different from another’s. It is good for them to discuss and compare professional experiences in order to find the best methods for upholding the highest medical standards. Of course, such disclosure of information is kept in broad terms so as to not breach confidentiality protections for patients.