Continuing medical education

Continuing medical education (CME) and lifelong learning are essential requisites of any professional. Medical professionals, in particular, have to keep up to date with rapid advances in modern technology and knowledge.

Medical professionals usually have to juggle their tight timetables to leave space for essential CME. Advancement in modern technologies now makes it possible for medical professionals to follow online training courses in the comfort of their home using the Internet.

The Association of Surgeons of Malta recently launched a new programme for the medical profession. This is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Malta Government. The programme consists of a series of modules, each dealing with a number of conditions that are often encountered in medical practice.

The first module in this series deals with Vertigo, a common clinical condition that presents to practicing medical professionals. Two other modules, one on acute abdominal pain and one on pre-operative assessment of patients with respiratory problems, will be launched in the coming weeks.

The modules are aimed at both established medical practitioners practising in any specialty, including family practice, as well as doctors in training final clinical year medical students and allied professionals. This is the first time that formal CME modules are being totally designed and implemented in Malta and made available to all on the Internet.