Continuing Medical Education Online Sanjiv Chopra, MB, BS Faculty Dean for Continuing Education Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Andi Long, Ed.M. Manager of Distance Learning and CME Online Harvard Medical School May 5, 2008

HMS DCE: Historical Perspective  1872: Harvard University approved a plan for a “special course for physicians” to continue their studies while extensively working in clinics and laboratories.  1911: Graduate School of Medicine of Harvard University formally organized  1968: Department of Continuing Education formally named 16 courses offered to 1,203 participants  courses offered to 12,000 participants  2007 Over 250 live courses offered (18 new courses) Over 60,000 health care professionals enrolled Over 40 online modules offered Over one million credits awarded

Annual attendance at “Live” CME Courses Note: 95% of the 60,000+ attendees are from the U.S.

A Comment by Professor Summers “In the current era of technology, we have an unprecedented opportunity, perhaps even a moral obligation, to share information and knowledge with colleagues around the world.” Lawrence H. Summers

CME Online  Comprehensive courses offered through the Internet to doctors around the world 50% discount for registrants from developing countries Free enrollment for registrants from Africa  Real-time registration and on-demand course availability  4 Courses launched in Fall 2003  48 courses currently available

Educational Design  Developed for primary care physicians as well as sub-specialists  Covering the most common diseases  Interactive, rich in visual teaching aids  Linked to updated references  Peer-reviewed by experts

Objectives are clearly defined and noted at the start of each case.

Presentations are case-based and engaging.

Multiple choice questions must be answered correctly before proceeding.

If answered incorrectly, authors provide explanations for incorrect choices, and the participant is asked to try again.

If answered correctly…

…authors provide explanations for correct choices…

…and incorrect choices.

Participants can compare their answers.

Annotated, high-quality images are used to enhance learning.

We also encourage authors to have interactive modules.

At the end of the case presentation, there is a gallery of images…

…an individualized study guide…

…and references with active links to PubMed are given.

Statistics to Date  48 courses available; another 40 courses in active development and planning stages  16,103 students from 123 countries have enrolled:

Comments from Participants  “The course was excellent and worthy of review over and over again.”  “The diversity and cultural history of the patients in every case were informative and realistic.”  “Excellent, up-to-date and succinct material that was a pleasure to interact with online.”  “Harvard's CME is one of the best. I have completed a lot of CME's with other topnotch universities…and Harvard's is at the top.”

Fee Structure  Initially $25 per credit hour  Currently: $20 per credit hour 50% discount to emerging nations 50% discount to HMS alumni Free for participants living in Africa

New Initiatives and Potential Opportunities  HMS DCE Postgraduate Association Launched November 2006  2006 Distance Learning Grant  Discounted rates for large groups India Serbia England  Translation opportunities

Postgraduate Association  Members receive: 10% discount on a HMS live course annually 4 Free CME Online Courses Free CD-ROM of a selected Keynote lecture 12-month subscription to a Harvard Health Newsletter Education from world-renowned teacher-clinicians at HMS The opportunity to contribute content and be part of an “elite guest faculty” A Membership Certificate and lapel pin from HMS DCE

Postgraduate Association  Fee structure: Annual membership: $199 Lifetime membership: $995  Statistics to date: 760 members 585 Annual memberships 175 Lifetime memberships 520 US-based members 240 International members

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