How does this program differ from traditional Continuing Medical Education programs as well as other online resources?
Traditional CME often requires physicians and other healthcare providers to take time away from their practices – and often their families – to attend hospital based grand rounds or courses which are typically offered in places like hotels and conference centers. A recent study suggested that an intensive one day CME program provided no actual information retention benefit over the same program given via internet. In fact after twelve weeks of practice, slightly more patient care information was retained by the individuals who participated in the internet-based program. The alternative internet or journal sources of CME are usually limited in content and text-based with little if any interactive elements. CMElectures.org differs from competitors in many ways including:

• It is completely web-based, meaning subscribers across the U.S. and internationally can take the courses “on their own time and their own terms.” It can’t get any more convenient. If they can access the Internet, they can access the highest level of leading edge CME.
• It is 100% interactive, using the latest in multi-media technology to provide a highly visual training experience that is as close to Grand Rounds as you can get outside an academic teaching hospital environment.
• Nothing this comprehensive at this level of quality has ever existed for healthcare professionals. CMElectures.org offers subscribers the ability to have both a clinical information library and an online educational resource for day-to-day support available at their fingertips.

Why wouldn't a health system or medical society offer the same type of program?
The cost of entry, production and maintaining this level of online CME is prohibitive for most healthcare-related organizations, for profit or not-for-profit. GEF recognized the value of this unique type of CME and has invested more than $3 million in development costs in hopes that it can positively impact continuing medical education and the level of care patients’ receive particularly for family physicians and other health care professionals on the front lines of medicine.

NOTE: the 105 faculty members, many have national and world wide reputations that are committed to improving bedside education and patient care at the undergraduate and post graduate level. The lectures are all original, evidence based and relevant to the practice of medicine and surgery in today’s complex and dynamic health care environment. Many of the authors have contributed to the basic text in their specialty and some have written it. The content they provided to GEF is provided on an exclusive basis and will be reviewed and updated by them on a routine basis or earlier if the standards of practice change.

Is the access really unlimited or are there restrictions?
Access to the site and each individual lecture is truly unlimited. The unlimited 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week access to all lectures allows participants to learn on their time and terms without negatively impacting their already hectic schedules. The unlimited access as well as the lecture formatting also allows the program to act as a true resource library of clinical information when practice needs dictate.

Is the program difficult to use?
Not at all. Anyone that can access the Internet can easily navigate the programs. CMElectures.org presents course material in a user-friendly, interactive multi-media format. Clear, concise and visually oriented, each lecture is designed to enhance the learning experience and information retention.

How many lectures are available and in what areas?
The program consists of a comprehensive series of more than 100 fully accredited, multi-media presentations covering a broad spectrum of specialty care and medical and surgical related issues. Lecture series are offered in 18 areas of specialty including: pain management, cardiology, hematology/arthritis, pediatrics, emergency medicine (add full list.)

How much does it cost?
Individual as well as institutional multi-user subscriptions are available (add detailed pricing information.)

How are the credits awarded?
Each lecture qualifies for up to 1.5 hours of ACCME category 1 or AOA category 2a credits toward physician achievement awards or nursing contact hours. The credits are awarded electronically upon successful completion of an accompanying examination.

How is GEF funded?
GEF is a not for profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to educating healthcare professionals. It has no commercial support and is funded by a non-pharmaceutical, non-interventional grant as well as subscription income from CMElectures.org. Proceeds from subscriptions to CMElectures.org are used to award institutional master Teach Grants, which facilitate the development of clinical skills and enhance bedside education at the medical school and post graduate residency level.

What is the "Grand Rounds" format?
The Grand Rounds format used to present the lecture series is both audio and visual. The seminars include real-life images, illustrations, charts and graphs as well as text and narration. This method is presentation is preferred because the retention rate is significantly greater when the participants are exposed to simultaneous audio, visual and graphically illustrated material than when reading or listening to an audio presentation alone.

What are the CME requirements for physicians and other medical professionals?
The CME requirements for physicians and other medical personal vary by state. On average, physicians are required to complete approximately 30-50/hrs of CME per year.