Like other high-value sectors, Continuing Medical Education (CME) in Europe is undergoing transformative changes. Most of these changes result from technological advancements, evolving healthcare needs, and stringent compliance standards.
This article discusses how these trends impact the planning and delivery of continuing medical education events. We also provide a guide to improving the quality of CME event offerings by focusing on innovation and value.
The changing landscape of healthcare education
Knowing the most recent trends impacting this sector helps us understand what is relevant in medical education today.
Firstly, there is a growing preference for short-term courses and concise information, stemming from increased time pressures among medical professionals. This has resulted in a strong demand for training activities with a short-term scope. In addition, incorporating younger physicians into the medical profession has highlighted the need for virtual CME delivery formats that favour concise information and activities in the 15-minute time range.
Secondly, surveys on the preferences of the current generation of medical students evidence a growing demand for virtual medical education encounters without ruling out the value of in-person events. This calls for event organisers to strengthen their hybrid CME offerings.
In addition, we have recently seen closer patient involvement in creating content for CME purposes. This is seen as a way to serve the ultimate stakeholders in healthcare.
Lastly, patient testimonials are becoming an integral part of CME event activities and sometimes are even incorporated into accreditation paths.
Integrating innovation into continuing medical education events
Bringing innovation into the different aspects of a CME event can help ensure the meeting becomes a valuable learning experience. For this to happen, there must be a firm commitment at the board level. In other words, innovation must be at the heart of medical association governance.
Setting up a dedicated committee to explore the most suitable educational technologies based on the event’s goals can be helpful at the planning stage. The committee should feature a broad representation of professionals, from physicians to educators and event planners, since plural feedback paves the ground for innovation.
The role of the following four interactive and immersive technologies could be a starting point for discussion and brainstorming in these committee meetings.
1. Virtual Reality (VR) for realistic simulations
Studies have shown that participants in VR-led training achieve higher accuracy and fewer errors than those using standard techniques. Integrating VR into CME sessions allows medical professionals to participate in realistic simulations, facilitating hands-on learning even in rare or complex scenarios. This is an invaluable way of enabling risk-free learning in a controlled setting in medical events.
Here, you can read some case studies and learn more about virtual reality applications in the healthcare industry.
2. Augmented and Mixed Reality (AR / MR) for enhanced learning
With the addition of headsets or other devices, AR and MR allow event delegates to interact with and manipulate virtual scenarios. Beyond theoretical knowledge acquisition, these innovative technologies have a practical focus that lends itself well to workshops and sessions with a solid team-based component (e.g., product or equipment training or surgical procedure planning).
In addition, the blend of virtual and real-world elements makes them suitable for hybrid and entirely virtual events, eliminating barriers to participation and allowing remote collaboration irrespective of the attendee’s location. For example, using AR or MR with holographic technology can bring together speakers or presenters in different places into a virtual operating room for a genuinely collaborative approach to knowledge and best practice sharing.
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Overall, VR, AR, and MR are the pillars of simulation-based and interactive learning at CME events. Not only do they replicate real-life scenarios and increase confidence and practical skills, but they also enhance the value of a CME session by allowing immediate visual feedback so attendees can see the results of their choices – the basis of experiential learning.
3. Interactive platforms for ongoing engagement
Interactive platforms encourage ongoing engagement during CME events by offering multiple options for active participation. This enables a move away from conventional speaker-led sessions, favouring instead a participant-driven learning experience made richer through the inclusion of Q&A sessions, group discussions, polls, or collaborative problem-solving.
A possible application of this technology at a CME event includes submitting questions via the event app before a session, inviting the audience to choose the most relevant questions, and selecting the most upvoted. Hence, the topics are collectively determined and addressed while respecting the content-heavy nature of CME sessions.
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4. Artificial intelligence
We could only conclude this section by mentioning one of the most revolutionary technologies available today. Among the most beneficial applications of artificial intelligence to CME events is this technology’s personalisation ability, which allows for creating customised learning pathways that facilitate adaptive learning. In addition, AI’s vast data processing capabilities can help analyse information to plan a CME event programme that addresses current knowledge gaps.
Moreover, AI can become a CME topic in its own right. During a CME event, it is possible and desirable to promote discussions around AI, its role and potential in clinical practice, and the challenges involved in using this technology. This is particularly useful given the trend towards patient-partner involvement.
It is also possible to use AI as a virtual tutoring system. This can ensure that every participant receives adequate feedback so presenters or instructors can spend time on things other than overextending themselves. Another application to consider is automated skill or interest assessment before event registration so that participants can choose (or are automatically suggested) the most beneficial sessions or tracks.
Aligning Continuing Medical Education Event planning with CME accreditation standards
Undoubtedly, innovation can significantly enhance the quality and overall value of CME events. However, given that regulatory compliance in CME is mandatory, we must now consider how organisers and marketers can align innovation-led practices with compliant continuing education credit management.
First and foremost, it is necessary to ensure that the tools, technologies, and content presented during a CME event comply with ethical codes of practice, especially given that this is a grey area where AI and similar technologies are involved.
Secondly, depending on the event’s programme, organisers should determine whether a CME event is eligible for accreditation or recognition since there are different requirements for accredited and recognised activity types.
It is also important to note that some medical specialities may have different accreditation requirements depending on the type of educational materials. For example, if you are planning to use learning materials generated at a live CME event as part of accredited distance learning, in some cases, it may be necessary to request separate accreditation.
Lastly, considering the trend towards more vital patient involvement mentioned in this article, it may be worth exploring patient-partner initiatives for topic selection and session planning, particularly now that accrediting organisations encourage incorporating the patient perspective into CME paths.
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Additional considerations for implementing innovative technologies in CME events
To ensure the technologies chosen to deliver tangible results, it is essential to keep the following in mind:
- Needs assessment: The event’s content and delivery instruments should be evaluated for their innovative potential and to ensure alignment with attendee needs. It is helpful to pay attention to gaps in knowledge or skills that are best addressed through immersive technologies.
- Technology integration: Determine to which extent the inclusion of the technologies discussed in this article is compatible with other platforms and systems that will be used during the event, such as the event app. The goal is to create a seamless CME experience without redundancy, making the most cost-effective use of tools and resources. For this, consider collaborating with seasoned professionals in the area of digital experiences.
Regarding integration, consider how easily the technologies used at the event can be harmonised with other systems the organiser may have in their everyday operations. For example, it is worth assessing the ease of integrating content generated during a CME event with digital learning platforms or LMS (healthcare learning management systems).
- Equally important is collecting first-hand participant feedback, keeping a dialogue open with medical educators, refining strategies, and ensuring that CME events are delivered in the most engaging and effective way.
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Conclusion
Throughout this article, we have seen how incorporating innovative technologies can ensure that CME events respond to the changing needs of healthcare learning. These technologies are an excellent tool for identifying and addressing knowledge and skill gaps, providing a realistic learning environment, and involving all stakeholders, including patients. In summary, they can significantly improve the quality of virtual and in-person continuing medical education events.
Contact the Congrex team for assistance in implementing these technologies in compliance with accreditation standards or advice on what strategies best suit your CME event.
