CME Mobile Apps: Pros, Cons, and Provider Choice
With busy clinical duties , long shifts and demanding responsibilities, it can be challenging to fit desktop learning into your schedule. Mobile-first education makes it easier to incorporate CME into your day, offering manageable micro-learning modules you can complete in between patients, on your break, or during your commute. Let’s explore the pros and cons of mobile CME apps, the different formats available and what to look for when choosing the right app for you.
The Advantages of Mobile CME
Mobile apps make it easier to fit CME into your daye. Being able to access courses on the go allows you to complete credits in between rounds, during your commute, or after hours. Micro-learning formats, such as short videos, interactive quizzes, and quick modules, break content down into bite-sized chunks that won’t get in the way of your daily workflow.
Many mobile CME apps feature push notifications and reminders to keep your learning on track and ahead of deadlines. Built-in tracking and reporting tools also make it easy to monitor your progress and submit completed credits for licensing and compliance purposes. With offline capabilities, you can even continue learning without an internet connection, keeping CME accessible no matter where your day takes you.
Potential Drawbacks and Limitations
While mobile CME offers a convenient way to learn on the go, there are a few limitations to consider. The smaller screen size of a phone or tablet can make it difficult to view content that’s not designed for mobile, like complex diagrams or imaging reviews. Micro modules and gamified apps can also make it challenging to fully explore complex topics that require full-length lectures or in-depth analysis.
With so many apps, notifications, and personal messages popping up on your phone, it's easy to get distracted while completing lessons. Streaming videos, interactive simulations, and constant app use drain your battery power, limiting your ability to learn during long workdays. Depending on your data plan, the added usage may offset the budget-friendly cost of mobile learning.
Evaluating App Quality and Accreditation
When evaluating CME apps, check their verification status to ensure they’re accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Accreditation guarantees that the content is credible, evidence-based and that your credits will be recognized by licensing and certification boards. It also prevents commercial bias and ensures your learning is current and relevant to your clinical practice.
As you scroll through the app, it should be easy to find courses, track your progress and submit credits. Easy navigation helps avoid technical difficulties that could impact your learning or credit tracking. Privacy policies should also be easily accessible and provide you with clear information on how your data is collected, stored and shared.
Top Features to Look For
Many CME apps incorporate helpful features that keep your learning accessible, on track, and personalized to your practice. Look for apps that offer seamless syncing between mobile and desktop platforms, so you can adapt your learning to your schedule. Personalized recommendations based on your speciality help you focus on relevant content and make the most of your CME time.
Accredited CME apps should easily integrate with state licensure or board requirements, allowing you to submit your credits directly to the appropriate body. Automated credit tracking and certificate generation make compliance and record-keeping straightforward and keep you on track with your CME deadlines.
Comparing Popular CME App Categories
CME apps often feature a specific category or format to tailor content to your learning style. Popular categories you can choose from include:
- Q-bank: Question bank apps feature self-assessment tools with detailed explanations for correct and incorrect answers, helping you prepare for boards or refresh existing knowledge.
- Podcast: These apps feature audio content, such as interviews and lectures, making it easy to learn on the go.
- Journal: Journal aggregators help you stay current on new research, guidelines, and clinical information.
- POC: Point-of-care tools allow you to easily search for information and research clinical questions in real-time.
- Video: Video lectures and recorded webinars are ideal for visual learners or understanding complex procedures.
Making the Right Choice
To select the right CME app, consider your learning style. Do you prefer reading, listening, quizzing or video? Finding an app that includes a mix of the formats that work best for you keeps your learning engaging and provides a well-rounded understanding of key topics. The right app should align with your licensure and board requirements and easily fit into your daily workflow.
Apps are often available as subscriptions or as one-time purchases. Before committing to the cost, test the platform during a trial period or preview to see whether it fits your learning style and CME requirements. Explore the Google Play Store or Apple Store to find CME apps and try out two to three before making your decision.
Oakstone offers CME products aligned to your learning needs, with specialty-focused content and audio apps that help you fit learning into your schedule.