As a physician, staying informed about the latest medical advancements is crucial. The more you know, the more likely you are to have improved patient outcomes. With so much information out there, how do you keep track of it all?
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Explore our five top tips on how to stay up to date with medicine, from reading in your personal time to continuing education seminars.
Journals and Online Publications
Reading is one of the most common ways to stay updated on the latest medical knowledge. The Internet makes it easy to access new studies, data and opinions. Here are some ways to stay connected with the newest updates:
- Journals: Health and scientific journals frequently publish new studies, discussions and opinions. Since medical literature can be long and complex, it can be helpful to browse a summary first to assess if it’s worth reading. Subscribing to an electronic table of contents or journal surveillance emails can give you a concise overview.
- Blogs: Blogs are an easy alternative to journal articles. They’re often written and reviewed by industry professionals, helping to ensure accuracy. You can also seek out ones with interviews or quotes from experts for a higher-quality read.
- Podcasts: Not much of a reader? Podcasts are a unique option for staying current on technological advances in medicine. Many podcast hosts are current or former health workers. Plus, they often interview industry experts while dissecting the topic.
- Social media: Yes, social media can be beneficial for medical professionals. Consider joining groups or following your fellow providers and industry leaders. You can interact with their content or share insights. Many journals and health institutions also frequently post about new studies, guidelines and advancements.
Keeping your finger on the pulse of the ever-changing health industry is simple, with access in the palm of your hand.
Collaboration
Collaborating with other medical workers can help you stay updated with advancements. These include people outside your specialty—like doctors, researchers, nurses and pharmacists.
You can ask others for their opinions or bounce ideas off each other. Many people have these collaborative conversations over coffee or lunch breaks.
Hearing from people with different approaches or insights can make seeing things from a new perspective easier.
Point-of-Care Knowledge Access
While continuous learning is crucial, you’re still human—you can’t remember all the information you’ve encountered. That’s why many offices use point-of-care knowledge systems.
For example, if a patient describes Lyme disease, you can use the system to search the latest information and treatment options. As a result, you may make decisions faster because the content is right there when you need it.
Professional Organizations
Joining an organization can provide greater access to innovations in your specialty. Many have blogs, general information pages, events and a journal where they publish new stories. Popular ones include:
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American Medical Association
- American College of Physicians
- American Heart Association
Join the ones most relevant to your practice to learn about new trends, discoveries or treatments.
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
Doctors must earn CME credits to keep their licenses because they increase knowledge and update skills. These courses often cover the latest industry best practices and breakthroughs.
While CME credits are available in many formats, if you prefer hands-on demonstrations or face-to-face events, live CME conferences are a top choice for staying updated. Plus, in-person events allow you to network and discuss your findings with others.