The Division of Continuing Medical Education (CME), in collaboration with Education Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Health Informatics Technologies and Services, will soon begin rolling out a new online CME system that will track physician attendance and credits for grand rounds, case conferences, tumor boards and other regularly scheduled series (RSS) certified for CME credit.
The new online credit tracking system will allow physicians and other participants to track their attendance using text messaging, replacing the old paper sign-in sheets.
The text code will be provided during the educational session.
Moving to the new system is a “win-win” for everyone involved, said Nanette Bahlinger with the Office for Continuous Professional Development at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“The new system will allow physicians to key a specific text code into their phones for each session they attend,” said Bahlinger. “By utilizing this text system, attendees will receive credit immediately as opposed to months later. It will also eliminate the need for long sign-in lines. And we won’t have to decipher physician signatures, tally attendance and generate quarterly reports.
“Our goal is to minimize administrative processes and maximize opportunities for practice-based learning activities. This new approach to documentation is a time saver for administrative staff and will prove to be very convenient for Vanderbilt’s professional staff,” Bahlinger said.
Organizers will begin rolling out the system this fall and are looking for any departments seeking to be early adopters.
Bahlinger said introductory Lunch and Learn sessions will be held to familiarize CME associates on how to access and use the system. Training options include short instructional videos or presentations by the CME staff at faculty and staff meetings.
CME is a program that helps medical professionals develop increased knowledge, skills and performance with the goal of providing the best possible care to their patients. In the United States, CME credits are required for members of the medical community to maintain their medical licenses, obtaining credentialing to practice and maintain specialty certification.
For more information contact Bahlinger at 322-0672.
