By Keith Huff

Continuing medical education (CME) is an integral part of every physician’s career. States specify CME requirements for licensure renewal and the American Board of Medical Specialties and its member boards such as the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) specify CME for Maintenance of Certification™ (MOC). Keeping up with the latest developments in the field mandates that physicians spend a great deal of time—and money—each year amassing CME credits.

With the advent of online learning, however, getting the CME you need is easier than ever. “Online CME offers relatively short, focused learning experiences that fit into the busy surgeon’s schedule,” says William A. Grana, MD, MPH, editor-in-chief of Orthopaedic Knowledge Online (OKO).

OKO currently has more than 50 online CME modules, covering a range of topics. Participants may earn up to 1 to 4 hours of AMA-PRA Category 1 CME credits for each module, based on the time required to complete the activity. Modules include both pre- and posttests with feedback. All CME earned is immediately posted to your AAOS transcript.

“One of the reasons we have deliberately focused on expanding our CME offerings is to help fellows meet their MOC requirements,” said Dr. Grana. “In the past year, we have doubled the number of credits available through online courses.”

The online CME modules complement the Academy’s other CME offerings, including self-assessment exams, videos and other electronic media, onsite courses, and the Annual Meeting.

“We’re trying to create a large selection of CME in a wide variety of formats,” said Dr. Grana. In that way, fellows can choose the learning style that works best for them—whether it is didactic, case-based, online, or in-person.

For more information about online CME through OKO, visit the Web site, www.aaos.org/oko

Keith Huff is managing editor of Orthopaedics Knowledge Online. He can be reached at huff@aaos.org