Continuing medical education in radiology: A glimpse of the present and of what lies ahead

The process of continuing medical education is a part of every radiologist's and radiation oncologist's professional growth, development and lifelong learning. This process aids the physician in keeping current with new techniques, procedures, and information. Continuing medical education is required for maintenance of certification. There is also a continuing medical education component and recommendations within the accreditation programs of the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR is accredited to sponsor educational activities and award credit hours. It sponsors educational meetings as well as enduring materials. Each activity undergoes a complex, time-consuming development process and is reviewed by the ACR's Committee on Accreditation for Continuing Medical Education. Traditional lecture based activities have not been effective with regards to improving physician performance and patient care outcomes, which are the ultimate goals of continuing medical education. The most effective educational activities are self-directed, interactive, often Web-based and available at the practice site and are timed when the information is most needed for a real life patient encounter. The ACR supports the radiology and radiation oncology community in their efforts at lifelong learning and is developing new and innovative educational programs and tools to accomplish this goal.