By Dr. Tyler Hunter
Now that you have left academic half days behind in residency, obtaining CME can be another burden on your already busy schedule. The minimum CME requirements set by the CFPC are:
- 25 credits per year
- 250 credits per five-year cycle (check your Mainpro+ cycle start date on your member profile on the CFPC site)
Instead of slogging through entering 250 UpToDate credits, below are a few ideas of how to reach and maintain your CME requirements. Remember the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) also provides up to $2,200 benefit for CME per physician to assist with the associated expenses!
1. Participate in Close to Home Primary Care Conferences
- Family Medicine Summit – Presented by the Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) every March in Banff: www.acfp.ca/cpd-cme/acfp-conferences/family-medicine-summit/
- Practical Evidence for Informed Practice (PEIP) Conference – This multidisciplinary event presented by the Patients Experience Evidence Research (PEER) Team occurs every fall (usually late October) in Edmonton and features the latest evidence on clinically relevant topics: https://peerevidence.ca/
- The ACFP’s CPD Calendar of Events – Other CPD and CME providers like the AMA, Alberta Health Services, and faculties submit upcoming events where you can earn credits: www.acfp.ca/cpd-cme/cpd-calendar-of-events/
- University of Calgary and University of Alberta Websites – Check these for ongoing more specific group or online learning opportunities: https://ecme.ucalgary.ca
2. Join Small Group Problem-Based Learning Program
Remember those McMaster Modules during training? These are used in a small group setting to discuss different topics with your peers and discuss difficulties as well as solutions to common or interesting presentations. Groups are formed each year and are 6-10 people in size. You can meet virtually or in person on your own set schedule. If you meet monthly, you can earn 30-45 CME credits throughout a year: www.fmpe.org/
3. Read the Canadian Family Physician Magazine (from the CFPC).
There are usually 3-4 articles per month that can allow you to claim CME after answering a couple of questions: www.cfpc.ca/en/member-services/value-of-membership/canadian-family-physician
4. Take Part in Travel Conferences
- Family Medicine Forum (FMF) – Hosted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), this annual event takes place in a major Canadian city during November, the FMF is Canada’s largest primary care conference. This conference is a great place to learn and also meet thousands of other family physicians from across the country: fmf.cfpc.ca/
- St Paul’s Hospital CME Conference for Primary Care Physicians – Hosted every November in Vancouver: www.stpaulscme.org/
- MER Primary Care Conferences – Take your learning beyond our borders while mixing in some sun, skiing or maybe Disney World? These conferences are hosted in premier travel destinations across North America weekly and schedule 4-5 hours of lectures daily in order to allow physicians +/- family to explore or relax afterwards: www.mer.org/
These are just some examples of how you can obtain your CME. The key is to always be on the lookout for CME resources and events happening near you or online and maximize the opportunity to engage with these worthwhile learning activities. Finally, don’t forget about the Linking Learning opportunities. Simply reflect on how your learning relates to practice change and earn five credits per exercise.
