Ease-of-Use and Faster Internet Service Driving Osteopathic Family Physicians eCME Usage

By Belinda Bombei

In 2005, the Manhattan Research Firms’ eCME research module results found that the eCME market is steadily growing, with 423,000 physicians using eCME in 2004, an increase of 14 percent from the previous year. An additional 79,000 physicians reported interest in using eCME in the future, with more than a quarter of these physicians being female.1

With a deluge of eCME options available online and an increasing interest in earning CME virtually, here are four substantial resources for osteopathic eCME credits.

ACOFP eCME2
Title: Revisiting the Brain-Body Connection: The Endocannabinoid System and Cardiometabolic Risk
Summary: This supplement is based on the CME program “Revisiting the Brain-Body Connection: The Endocannabinoid System and Cardiometabolic Risk” that was presented at the ACOFP Annual Convention in Kissimmee, Florida. Osteopathic family physicians must read the supplement, complete the eCME quiz and fax or mail the answer sheet by September 2008 to ACOFP or ACOI. ACOFP and ACOI designate this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™, 0.5 credit hours for reading the supplement, and 0.5 credit hours for completing and forwarding the test.

Title: ACOFP Osteopathic Family Physician News eCME Quizzes
Summary: ACOFP and AOA members who read the Osteopathic Family Physician News can receive 2 hours of Category 1-B continuing medical education credit for completing quizzes in the journal and its supplements.

To receive credit, complete the eCME quiz available online and fax or mail the answer sheet within one year from the issue's publication date to ACOFP and make a passing grade of 70 percent or better. The council on CME approved Osteopathic Family Physician News for 2 hours of AOA Category 1-B credit. This eCME is offered on a continuing monthly basis.

Title: Getting a Leg Up on Cardiovascular Disease: Secondary Prevention in Artherothrombosis.
Summary: The goal of this eCME is to educate primary care providers about the risks posed by atherothrombosis and the evidence-based measures that can be taken to improve the recognition and treatment of patients with PAD and post ACS/stroke to reduce future MI and stroke. 2 Category 1-B AOA credits anticipated.
Specifically the eCME course addresses:

• The common underpinning of atherothrombosis in the cerebrovascular, coronary, and peripheral artery beds;
• The risk factors and epidemiology of cardiovascular events in PAD, post-ACS, and post-stroke patients;
• Therapeutic approaches to reducing the risk factors for atherothrombosis;
• Recent treatment guidelines for secondary prevention in ACS, stroke, and PAD patients;
• The gap between evidence-based therapy and practice;
• The impact of increased evidence-based care out patient outcomes.

AOA DO eCME4
Title: DO CME Online Center
Summary: The DO CME Online is DO-Online's new online CME Center. DO CME Online gives members access to AOA-approved online CME credit as well as hundreds of other online CME activities. And, in most cases, physicians can complete the post-test/quiz online and receive credit instantaneously.
Family Medicine eCME title selections include:

• Allergic Rhinitis: Navigating Options for Individualized Patient Care
• Treating Musculoskeletal Pain: Current Treatment Options
• Unraveling the Mystery of Glycemic Control: Spotlight on Insulin Analogs
• Why Your Patients Are Not Getting to Goal: Steps You Can Use to Improve Dyslipidemia Treatment Outcomes - Monograph

Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine eCME5
MSU-COM eCME Title Options Credit Available

• Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Cervical Spine – 6hrs/Cat1B
• Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Lumbar Spine – 6hrs/Cat1B
• Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Pelvis – 6hrs/Cat1B
• Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Rib Cage – 6hrs/Cat1B
• Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Thoracic Spine – 6hrs/Cat1B
• Autonomic Nervous System – 6hrs/Cat1B
• Axis Reference Systems 6hrs/Cat1B
• Barrier Concepts (Take free for a limited time) 6hrs/Cat1B
• Basic Concepts of Osteopathic Medicine 6hrs/Cat1B

Summary: Using the power and convenience of the Internet, MSU-COM has developed a series of interactive, topical learning activities that address the needs of health care professionals to conveniently and inexpensively obtain eCME credits. There is free access to all the materials, and payment is due when the exam is taken. The cost is $10/CME credit.

The University of North Texas Health Science Center Office of Professional and Continuing Education eCME6
UNT-HSC eCME Title Options6

• Responding to the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction | Parts I and II – 1hr PRA-AMA and AOA Cat1B
• Responding to the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction | Parts III and IV – 1hr PRA-AMA and AOA Cat1B
• Responding to the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction | Part V – 1hr PRA-AMA and AOA Cat1B
• Responding to the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction | Part VI: Biological Agents – 1hr PRA-AMA and AOA Cat1B
• Responding to the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction | Parts VII and VIII: Radiation & Its Effects – 1hr PRA-AMA and AOA Cat1B

Summary: The mission of the University of North Texas Health Science Center Office of Professional and Continuing Education is to expertly plan lifelong learning and continuing education activities to meet the needs of medical professionals and researchers, the public health workforce and others who promote health and safety.

Title: CME Monograph about Depression in Women at Midlife and Beyond. Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Options for the Family Physician.
Summary: Expires July 1, 2008. 2.5 Category 2-B, AOA.
Title: Clinical Concepts in Multiple Sclerosis Monograph
Summary. Last year, the University of North Texas Health Science Center hosted four continuing education conferences titled: “Clinical Concepts in Multiple Sclerosis: Emerging Trends in Imaging, Immunology, and Therapeutics.” Conference presenters provided attendees with the latest research and clinical applications relating to the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the role of MRI in the diagnosis and management of MS, and provided information to enable clinicians to develop a clinical frame of reference for optimizing therapy in relapsing MS. This monograph summarizes the topics presented at the conferences. (2) Category 2-B, AOA. n

Belinda Bombei is the medical editor and writer for OsteopathicEditor.com and has more than 14 years of experience, including five years of experience editing and writing for the osteopathic profession. She provides suggestions to transform osteopathic medical content from good to outstanding, producing osteopathic focused articles, websites, and eNewsletters worthy of recognition.

References:

1. The Manhattan Research eCME Research Module. (2004). Retrieved March 30, 2008 from http://www.manhattanresearch.com.
2. American College of Osteopathic Physicians. Retrieved April 2, 2008 from http://www.acofp.org/onlinecme/index.aspx.
3. American Osteopathic Association. Retrieved April 3, 2008 from https://www.do-online.org/index.cfm?PageID=cme_guideinternet.
4. American Osteopathic Association. Retrieved April 3, 2008 from http://www.docmeonline.com/.
5. Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. Retrieved April 4, 2008 from http://hal.bim.msu.edu/CMEonline/start.html.
6. The University of North Texas Health Science Center Office of Professional and Continuing Education. Retrieved April 4, 2008 from http://www.aoa.cecity.com