How often are MD's supposed to get continuing education?

Question

How does this continuing education for doctors work, do they have to study and take exams to get relicensed? Is it a month long series of classes, etc?

Answer 1

The individual states that you are licensed in dictate what your exact requirements are for continuing medical ediucation. Those are ususally available under the state's web page. I'll use PA as an example:

100 hours every other year.
20 hours must be category 1
12 hours patient safety or risk management
The remained can be split between category 1 and 2
Office management or practice building coursesdoes not count.

Category 1 are credits have been approved through an acreditated provider.
Category 2 is self-directed learning or learning that otheriwse does not meet category 1.

In some specialties, you may have to undergo what is known as board recertification (my specialty is every ten years):

You must sit fora computer-based examination offered annually during a two-week window. The examination lasts five hours.

*This requires that you prove you have maintained your license.
*Be in the active practice and/or teaching and/or research and/or administrative activities relevant the specialty.
*If providing clinical care to patients, he or she must hold practice privileges at an accredited health care institution.
*Be in good standing in the profession as evidenced by membership in the local medical/surgical society, fellowship in the American College , or membership in other regional or national associations. If a diplomate is not a member of an association, it is of the diplomate's own choice. This requirement does not apply to diplomates residing and practicing abroad.
*Submit a practice profile in the form of an experience report covering the most recent 12-month period or calendar year immediately prior to application, reflecting experience at hospitals where the diplomate holds privileges.
*Demonstrate a commitment to continual professional growth and learning through Continuing Medical Education (CME), and upon recertification, by adherence to the Maintenance of Certification Program.

Answer 2

Continuing education is frequently obtained by attending educational conferences, although there are other ways to earn credit as well.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists puts out a great question and answer workbook type thing that I do. There are also online courses that we can take.

Some specialties require that doctors take a test to maintain their Board certification.

Answer 3

i mpresume its similiar to my wife who is a nurse. tehy have X amount of continuing education credits to earn every year. when they apply for the MD license they have to provide proof of the CE credits, if nto, no license. this is to keep the medical professionals up to date on the latest medical information