As an internal medicine physician, you’re often tasked with helping solve some of the most complex, challenging and wide-ranging cases. Often called the “doctor’s doctor,” you play a uniquely vital role in healthcare. The value of your specialty only highlights the significance of internal medicine CME.

Beyond fulfilling board requirements, continuing medical education can provide you with important information, updates and practical advice. But for many busy physicians, finding a convenient time to earn credits can be difficult. Fortunately, you can easily find everything you need to earn your credits on your schedule with online CME for internal medicine.

What CME Credits Are Required for Internal Medicine?

The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) requires diplomates to participate in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program to maintain ABIM certification. As part of the MOC program, you must earn  MOC points every two years by completing approved activities. You also need to earn at least 100 points every five years, though that includes the points you earn every two years.

Traditionally, after earning the required MOC points, diplomates were required to complete a comprehensive exam every 10 years. While that’s still an option, ABIM also offers the  Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) as an alternative. The LKA allows you to renew your certification in five-year cycles by successfully completing 30 questions over each quarter.

CME requirements for internal medicine also vary depending on your state medical board. In general,  most states require physicians to earn CME credits on an annual or semi-annual basis. It’s best to check with your specialty board for any additional internal medicine CME requirements, such as hours of CME, before setting your schedule.

What Are Online Options to Earn CME Credits?

One of the biggest benefits of completing CME online is the wide range of formats and materials available to you. Many online resources are self-paced, so you can adapt them to your schedule. These include elements such as quizzes, videos and other interactive methods that allow you to test your knowledge. Before you begin, confirm any activities you plan to complete will qualify for MOC points.

If there’s a particular area where you want to focus, try searching for detailed single-topic courses, such as UCSF Advances in Internal Medicine. This course includes essential internal medicine information, such as how to better manage common medical conditions and how to bring your practice in line with current evidence and guidelines.

It’s also a good idea to look for an accredited provider that offers additional resources beyond basic course materials and review any course requirements. On-demand activities—such as recorded webinars, audio and self-paced modules—offer flexibility while providing the same valuable content as a live course.

With the wide range of valuable topics for internal medicine, earning CME credits online makes it easier to find specific material that caters to you and your interests. While single-topic courses are ideal for in-depth coverage of a specific area, having access to a library of information also is incredibly beneficial. Some physicians will realize that a subscription service is their ideal solution.

Practical Reviews, for example, is a collection of practical, expert reviews of articles from top medical journals. These services offer summarized information on a broad range of topics and additional resources such as mobile apps, commentary and quizzes designed to help you easily earn CME.

How to Select the Right CME for You

Internal medicine covers a broad range of topics, so it’s essential to find the educational material that provides the most value. It’s also crucial that you find resources that adapt to your learning style. You may be a visual learner and prefer to absorb information through reports and text summaries. Or perhaps you prefer to listen to audio while traveling. What’s important is that you can take this information and use it to improve your understanding of healthcare and your role in it.

It’s also important to consider both the time commitment and costs associated with any internal medicine CME activities. While some may require a significant amount of time, dedicating just a few minutes a day may be all you need to complete others.

Remember to consider your needs as well as your goals for the future. If you want to deepen your knowledge in a specific area of internal medicine, you may want to look for CME activities that focus on that material. If you prefer a refresher on other topics where you’re not as familiar, there are resources available to help with that as well. Find a provider that offers a variety of courses, formats and supporting materials.

Oakstone CME is committed to helping you learn and earn CME credit on your own terms. Our library of content can be customized to fit your needs and schedule. We’ll help you fulfill your internal medicine CME requirements so you don’t have to worry about the annual deadline.

Find out how you can sign up and save on your CME.