Did you receive a CME allowance that expires at the beginning of the year? Are you unsure how to take full advantage of your CME money? According to the 2018 MMS Annual Physician Survey, 49% of physicians had an annual CME budget of over $1000, and 16% of physicians received a CME stipend of over $4000. In addition, the survey shows that 81% of physicians prefer earning their CME credits through online/digital courses or live CME events in their region or a vacation destination. If you fall within these categories, check out some of the options below on how you can take full advantage of your CME money.
CME Subscriptions with Gift Card
Many online CME providers provide bundles that come with a complimentary gift card from Amazon, American Express, or other businesses. These CME with gift card bundles allow medical professionals to get something back when they use their CME stipend, essentially getting a free gift for purchasing particular CME activities. Most of these CME activities are available online, such as online board reviews, journal reviews, and recorded video lectures, which allows you to fulfill most if not all of your yearly CME requirements. Check out some of the most popular CME gift card bundles below.
AudioDigest CME with Gift Card
AudioDigest comes with your choice of up to a complimentary $1,400 Amazon Gift Card along with other options to engage with their online CME. Physicians can also customize this bundle based on their CME allowance. Choose your specific budget to meet your CME requirements and get a gift card and subscription based on that amount. For example, a $999 budget can get you a free $1,000 gift card and a 12-month subscription.
The activity allows you to earn up to 4300 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM and MOC points depending on the specialty. The bundle is available in 15 specialties and is a great and convenient way to simultaneously earn your CME credits and get a bonus gift card.
AudioDigest content is developed by industry-leading specialists, publishers, and research institutions. This collection of credible and informative evidence-based audio lectures and written summaries will help physicians broaden their knowledge regarding a specific topic or specialty while simultaneously earning CME credits. In addition, AudioDigest continuously updates the content in their CME bundle to ensure users are reviewing the latest and most accurate information and can stay up to date with the newest findings and trends within their specialty.
Check out our AudioDigest CME Product Review for more information or get AudioDigest now.
Oakstone Practical Reviews On Demand
Oakstone Practical Reviews On Demand summarizes and reviews relevant articles from the top medical journals in 23 specialties. Medical professionals have the ability to earn unlimited CME credits by reviewing the issues and completing an exam after reviewing each issue. You can either get a $500 or $1000 Amazon gift card depending on whether you purchase a 1 year ($998) or 2 year ($1,995) subscription.
Practical Reviews can be accessed online or through audio CDs and printed abstracts. This gives buyers to select the format that matches their learning preference. In addition, there is a mobile app for Practical Reviews. The app is extremely user-friendly and allows users to broaden their knowledge on the go.
CME Conferences 2024
Not interested in earning a gift card with your CME stipend? If not, a getaway vacation may be better suited for you. Many CME conferences are held in beautiful and luxurious vacation destinations in order to attract medical professionals from around the world. As a disclaimer, it should be noted that not all employers allow you to use your CME stipend to cover travel fees and the conferences may count against your yearly vacation hours, so check with your employer for specifics. Some of the top organizations that host live CME conferences include MCE Conferences and the Continuing Education Company.
Book your travel now for the 2024 or 2025 continuing medical education conference to take advantage of your flexible CME budget.
Live CME Courses
Similar to CME conferences, live CME courses are often held in popular destinations such as Chicago or St. Louis and can be attended to earn CME credits.
The Osler Institute is one of the leading organizations that offer live CME courses. Currently, the organization offers live CME courses in over 20 specialties including Family Medicine, Radiology, Pediatrics, Neurology, and more. The Osler Institute currently offers over 50 live courses a year in cities such as Chicago, Dallas, and St. Louis. If you are not able to attend a live course, Osler has recently introduced online versions of their live CME events that can be reviewed for CME credits as well. Click here for more information regarding the Osler Institute.
Hospital Procedure Consultants offers comprehensive live CME courses that help emergency and hospitalist healthcare providers broaden their knowledge and earn CME credits. These procedural education courses are delivered by knowledgeable and highly skilled instructors who have received rigorous training and constant evaluations to ensure course participants are receiving helpful and valuable teaching. Hospital Procedure Consultants Live CME Courses occur in popular destinations including Chicago, Seattle, Long Beach, and Washington, D.C.
Electronic Devices
Not interested in a gift card or vacation getaway? Some organizations offer a complimentary electronic device such as an iPad or MacBook with the purchase of their CME activity. CME4Life, for example, offers buyers a complimentary Apple Watch, iPad, or Microsoft Surface with the purchase of their CME package.
There are many ways you can look to take advantage of your CME budget, with gift cards and vacation destinations being the most popular choices. If you did receive a CME stipend this year, make sure to take advantage of this and check out the different CME special offers.
