Today’s physicians, NPs, and PAs can access many continuing medical education (CME) programs. One of the best ways to earn CME credits is by attending CME conferences. Since 2019, many CME providers have migrated CME events online. You can attend in-person or virtual medical conferences to earn CME credits. Both have unique benefits and drawbacks. Read on to learn the advantages and disadvantages of CME conferences.
How CME Conferences Work
CME conferences are scheduled educational activities hosted to help medical professionals maintain and improve their knowledge, skills, and performance. These events bring together experts and medical practitioners. You can earn CME credits by attending accredited CME conferences in person or remotely. Each event offers a specific number of credits based on its duration. Most programs award 1 CME credit per hour spent in a CME activity. For example, PRESENT DEA Mate Training is an 8-hour event with 8 credit hours. You can access this accredited CME conference via CMEList.
What are the advantages of CME conferences?
Online and in-person CME conferences allow physicians to learn from experts. They provide several benefits over other CME programs, like completing courses, watching pre-recorded videos, and reading journal articles. Here are the advantages of attending CME conferences:
Networking
CME conferences offer a unique opportunity for attendees to interact with other practitioners in their medical field. In-person events are perfect for networking. Attendees can interact face-to-face, make new friends, and exchange contacts. Connecting with some professionals can help you achieve your career goals.
Work and Play
Many medical professionals choose in-person CME conferences over other CME activities to combine learning with pleasure. CME providers organize these events in top-rated tourist destinations. You can attend a CME conference in a glitzy city like Las Vegas or near sandy beaches like Florida and Hawaii. Organizers usually provide ample time between sessions or in the afternoon for attendees to explore tourist attractions near the venue. Blending work and play during CME conferences is also one of the best ways to spend your leftover CME allowance.
Hands-on Experience
Many medical fields, like surgery, combine theoretical and practical concepts. CME conferences bring out the best of both worlds. The presenter can explain the theory behind the idea and how to apply it in a medical facility. This approach enhances learning with hands-on experience, which can’t be achieved by reading textbooks or journal articles alone.
Meet the experts
The best CME conferences bring together top panelists and experienced professionals in specific medical fields. Organizers schedule Q&A or Meet & Greet sessions after lectures. These sessions allow attendees to interact and exchange ideas with experts in their medical field. If you seek an experienced professional to help you understand a complicated procedure or treatment, consider attending an in-person CME conference instead of an online event.
Flexibility
Many CME providers offer in-person and online conferences, allowing medical practitioners to choose the best option based on their schedules. If you don’t have time to travel, attend the conference online to learn and earn CME credits. Consider in-person events if you seek to combine work and play or meet experienced experts face-to-face.
What are the disadvantages of CME conferences?
A CME conference is one of the best ways to earn CME credits. This option offers several benefits, like networking and combining work and play. However, CME conferences have some disadvantages.
Work-play Mental Burden
Combining work and vacation in a single trip may seem perfect for busy practitioners. However, some attendees seek to explore many tourist attractions after attending hours-long conference sessions. Combining these adventures with the mental burden of learning increases the risk of burnout. Some practitioners take time off after CME conferences to recover.
Time-consuming
Although your CME allowance covers CME conference costs, it won’t help you recover lost time. If you own and manage a medical practice, you’ll close your clinic to attend the conference. Patients with medical emergencies can’t wait for you for days. In-person events can also strain hospitals and undermine patient care by reducing staff on duty. Fortunately, online attendance addresses these drawbacks. You can attend a virtual CME conference rather than traveling to the venue. Then, invest time saved on work or family and friends.
Sunshine Act Impact
The Federal Sunshine Act requires transparent reporting of pharma-physician interactions. According to a survey, around 50% of physicians don’t appear on panels to avoid conflicting with the Sunshine Act. The act has discouraged experienced medical professionals from joining conferences and decreased financial support from pharmaceutical companies. These issues undermine knowledge sharing and increase CME costs.
Final Words
CME conferences offer many benefits, including networking, work-play combo, flexibility, and hands-on experience. It also has a few drawbacks. Consider the pros and cons before choosing CME activities. You can rely on CMEList to access accredited CME conferences from reputable CME providers. The list is updated regularly to help medical professionals find the best events. attending CME conferences with CMEList today!