Continuing Education in the world of New Technologies 

When you go to a specialist, you put yourself in the hands of a person who may determine your life or death, and, of course, wellness, for the rest of your life. We often make sure that our doctors or nurses have their licensure. Some may even look up whether their health care provider has had complaints or are in good standing. We look at the diplomas on their wall and smile if they went to Harvard or other top universities. However, patients seldom consider whether what they learned at Harvard has anything to do with what they are about to do to us! Often, it does not!

For example, an older doctor might have gone to medical school when pacemakers were either in their infancy or didn’t exist at all. In order to remain current, they either go to CE classes, pick up information from reading or from company technicians who often don’t even have a bachelor’s degree. Does the level of continuing education for doctors and nurses rise to the level of nursing school, medical school or post graduate work? Maybe. Unfortunately, we must measure the strength of a chain by its weakest link. The weakest link is continuing medical education programs that, although processed through accreditation agencies, are very light on content and testing, yet heavy on amenities and food. This process puts our health care system, not to mention us at serious risk.