Write Medicine

You Don't Have a Workflow. You Have a Habit. AI in CME: Moving from Experimenting to Implementing

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Most people in CME and medical writing are using AI. Fewer have an actual workflow — something documented, repeatable, and defensible enough to explain to a client or compliance reviewer. This episode explores why that gap matters, what a staged workflow looks like in practice, and why this is becoming a professional differentiator right now.

In this episode:

Why "I try things and sometimes it works" is a ceiling, not a process
The difference between using AI and having an AI workflow
What the 2026 MedComms Freelancing Barometer tells us about where the field is right now
Why documentation and traceability are the parts most people skip — and why that's changing

Ready to build your workflow?

The AI Practice Lab starts March 9th. Four weeks, eight live sessions, hands-on work with Núria Negrão PhD. You'll leave with a documented, repeatable AI workflow for research, drafting, and quality control — one you can confidently explain to clients and teams.

→ Join the AI Practice Lab

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"? Join our Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab on February 19th. You'll learn systems thinking, defensible frameworks, and grant-ready language in 3 hands-on hours. $297 | Applies to WriteCME Pro membership [CTA Button] Save My Spot → https://community.writecmepro.com/root-cause-analysis

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Applied Outcomes: Designing CME for Learner Action

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0700

You already know how to write learning objectives. You reference Bloom’s taxonomy. You understand Moore’s outcomes framework.

But here’s the real question:

When you write a learning objective, can you clearly identify the two to three specific clinical tasks that must happen for that objective to be achieved?

In this episode—based on a webinar I participated in with the Good CME Practice Group—we go deeper than frameworks. We unpack what actually sits underneath a learning objective and how that layer determines whether your CME changes practice… or simply delivers information.

What We Explore in This Episode

Why learning objectives are signposts—not the design itself
How to break each objective into 2–3 concrete clinical tasks
The role of workflow, format, and audience context in determining granularity
How learning science (cognitive load, retrieval practice, feedback) strengthens action-focused design
Where CME programs most commonly lose alignment between need, content, assessment, and outcomes

Key Takeaway

If you can’t name the specific clinical actions required to meet an objective, the content won’t drive behavior change.

Design lives underneath the objective.

Next Step

If this episode resonated, try this:

Take one learning objective from a current project and ask:

What are the two or three specific clinical actions underneath it?
Where do those actions appear in the content?
Where are they assessed?

That exercise alone will elevate your design work.

And if you want structured practice applying this level of thinking—with feedback, live coaching, and a community of CME professionals—explore WriteCME Pro.

This is where writers become design partners.

Resources

Good CME Practice Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The CME Writing Skills No One Teaches—but Every Writer Needs

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In this year-end episode, Alex takes you behind the scenes into a full year of growth inside the WriteCME Pro community. Whether you're just starting in CME or deepening your expertise, you’ll hear the most important trends that emerged among CME writers in 2025—what they struggled with, how they moved forward, and what this means for your own career in 2026.

If you want clarity, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the CME world, this episode offers a peek at the path forward.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The biggest mindset and skill gaps CME writers faced this year
Why understanding the ecosystem matters more than mastering templates
The professional identity shift that helped writers step into higher-level roles
Why wellbeing has become a non-negotiable business strategy
What happens when writers grow inside a community instead of alone
What support, structure, and opportunities are coming in 2026

You’ll especially benefit if you’re:

A medical writer curious about entering CME
A working CME writer who feels stuck or isolated
A freelancer craving clarity, community, or better workflow systems
Someone who wants to build a resilient, respected CME writing business

Learn more or join the community:

12 Days of Giving Secret List

WriteCME Pro

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

If CME Writers Had an Advent Calendar…

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0700

What if you ended the year not with burnout or urgency, but with a daily ritual of inspiration, generosity, and creative momentum for your CME writing?

As CME writers, so much of our work happens behind the scenes — the interviews, the needs assessments, the outlines, the manuscripts. It’s meaningful work, but it’s often quiet and relentless, yet it carries real impact for learners and patients. This episode takes you behind the curtain into the reflection, intention, and creative spark that inspired the 12 Days of Giving. If you’ve ever wanted to reconnect with the why behind your own writing, this story will resonate.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

My why behind the 12 Days of Giving
How reflection helps us stay grounded in a profession that rarely slows down.
Why generosity isn’t just a nice idea, but a practical force that strengthens your craft and the CME community.

Press play to step behind the scenes and discover the heart, intention, and creative spark powering this year’s 12 Days of Giving.

Ready to join the secret list? Do that here: https://www.alexhowson.com/12-days-interest

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Your Clinical Lens Is Gold: How to Grow From Beginner to Trusted CME Writer

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In this hot seat coaching conversation, Sarah Jabeen MD, a clinician turned medical writer, brings the honest questions so many emerging CME writers quietly carry:

How do I navigate a career pivot without feeling like an imposter? How do I leverage my clinical background without overwhelming my writing? And how do I grow from “new” to “trusted” in the eyes of clients?

Together, we unpack what’s underneath each of these questions and explore how identity, confidence, community, and small experiments shape your growth as a CME writer.

You’ll hear:

Why self-doubt is a normal part of professional transformation—and how to shift from “What if this fails?” to “What if this works?”
How your clinical experience becomes a true superpower in CME writing, giving you insight, relevance, and empathy that elevate your work.
What separates a beginner from a trusted partner, and how reliability, curiosity, and consistent communication matter more than perfection.
The role of community and belonging in building confidence and combating isolation during a career pivot.
Practical guidance for showing up online, finding your voice, and creating a presence that feels aligned and safe.

Whether you’re transitioning from clinical practice, entering CME writing from another discipline, or simply looking for more confidence in your craft, this episode offers permission, perspective, and a path forward.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

When the Inbox Goes Quiet: How to Thrive in the Fallow Seasons of Freelance CME Writing Life

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0700

What do you do when your inbox goes quiet and the client work that once filled your calendar suddenly disappears?

For many freelance medical writers—especially those transitioning into the CME space—quiet seasons can feel like failure. But what if those fallow periods are actually the most fertile ground for growth? In this conversation with seasoned writer Addie Nagy, we explore how to reframe slow seasons, rebuild confidence, and manage client relationships with steadiness and purpose.

You’ll learn how to

Reimagine client relationships as a dialogue rather than a power struggle so collaboration replaces anxiety.
Turn information gaps and slow communication into opportunities for curiosity, clarity, and boundary-setting.
Use “fallow time” to strengthen business foundations, refresh systems, and cultivate the mindset shift from freelancer to business owner.

Press play to learn how to transform uncertainty into strategy and make every season of your freelance CME writing business work for you.

Resources Mentioned

Ilise Benun — The Creative Professional's Guide to Money: How to Think About It, How to Talk About it, How to Manage It. 2011. HOW Books.

WriteCME Pro — a community and professional network that provides peer support and opportunities to hone CME writing skills.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

LinkedIn Live AMA

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Contract Confidence: Protect Your Freelance Medical Writing Business

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Have you ever hesitated to push back on a client’s “non-negotiable” contract — even when something didn’t feel right?

For freelance medical writers, contracts can be one of the most intimidating parts of running a business. Between indemnity clauses, “work made for hire” language, and shifting risk to the writer, it’s easy to feel powerless. In this episode, legal strategist Brionna Ned (The Lawless Lawyer) breaks down how to approach contract negotiations with confidence — so you can protect your work, your income, and your peace of mind.

You'll learn how to:

Identify and communicate your leverage points — the non-negotiables that protect your business.
Decode intimidating legal terms like indemnity and work made for hire in plain language.
Reframe contract negotiation from a high-stakes confrontation into a collaborative conversation about creating a fair working relationship.

Press play to discover how to build contract confidence, reduce risk, and negotiate terms that support a thriving medical writing business.

Connect with Brionna

The Lawless Lawyer

Instagram

Threads

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

LinkedIn Live AMA

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Insight to Impact: A Framework for Translating Needs into Agendas

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

How do you turn a detailed needs assessment full of data and practice gaps into a clear, learner-centered activity agenda that actually changes clinical practice?

If you’ve ever stared at a dense needs assessment wondering how to transform pages of evidence into a coherent educational design, this episode is for you. Many CME writers struggle to bridge the gap between analysis and application—between identifying what clinicians need and structuring how they’ll learn it. In this episode, Alex shares a practical, step-by-step process that helps you connect the dots and design education that makes sense and gets results.

By listening, you’ll discover:

A seven-step framework to translate insights from your needs assessment into a logical, outcomes-aligned agenda.
How to apply the 3-A Test—Aligned, Actionable, Appropriate—to ensure every session delivers value for learners.
A real-world mini-case that illustrates how to transform your research into a compelling, structured learning journey.

Press play to learn how to transform data into design—and gain the confidence to craft CME agendas that close gaps and inspire change.

👉 Grab Your Insight-To-Action Framework

👉 Register for LinkedIn Live

Mentioned in this episode:

LinkedIn Live AMA

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Unseen to Unstoppable: How Medical Writers Grow Beyond CME Task Work to Creative Partnership

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:30:00 -0700

What if the work that feels invisible is the very thing building your expertise?

For many CME writers, the hours spent researching, editing, and shaping educational content happen behind the scenes — valuable, but unseen. Over time, that invisibility can blur your sense of value and readiness.

In this Write Medicine hot-seat coaching session, Gina Castiblanco PhD shares what it’s really like to navigate that in-between space — leaving behind a visible academic identity and learning to trust her voice as a CME writer and business owner.

Together, we unpack how professional visibility starts with self-awareness, boundaries, and the courage to say, “I’m ready, even if I don’t feel ready yet.”

By the end of this conversation, you’ll learn how to:

Reframe invisibility as part of your growth process — not proof that you don’t belong.
Use your academic and clinical background to shape a distinct CME writing identity.
Turn your unseen skills into visible value that attracts aligned clients and projects.
Shift from doing the work to owning the work — as a creative, strategic partner.

Stay to the end of the episode for three practical steps you can take today to start making your invisible work visible — and strengthen your visibility, voice, and value in the CME ecosystem.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Curiosity to Confidence: A Freelance Medical Writer’s Guide to Breaking into CME Writing

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0700

Curious about continuing medical education (CME) writing but not sure how to begin? In this episode, you’ll learn how to turn your medical, academic, or scientific experience into a meaningful, flexible writing career. Discover the five milestones that help you break into CME writing, the key skills every CME writer needs, and real-world insights from the field.

🎧 Tune in now to gain clarity, confidence, and your next steps toward becoming a successful CME writer.

Links

WriteCME Pro – Join the CPD-certified professional development program for medical writers specializing in CME.
Chart Your CME Writing Path – Map your skills and identify opportunities in CME writing.
Episodes 112 & 115 of Write Medicine – Learn how to streamline literature reviews and strengthen your research workflow.
American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) – Explore professional development resources for medical communicators.
CME Writer Bootcamp: How to Break into CME/CE Writing with no Network and No Expertise
Write Medicine Mentor – Get behind-the-scenes insights and templates to deepen your CME writing practice.
How to Create Portfolio Samples for CME Writing

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Write Medicine Mentor

Write Medicine Mentor is your private companion podcast designed exclusively for medical writers who want deeper support as they grow in continuing medical education (CME). Each month, you'll receive exclusive content from me to support your business and income growth as well as templates/checklists/swipe files you can use and apply to client projects. In addition to immediate access to a CME writing starter pack, each month you’ll get: * A bonus episode that takes you behind the mic for advanced insights into the craft and business of CME writing. * A ready-to-use template, checklist, or swipe file to make your projects smoother and more effective. * An Ask Me Anything episode, where Alexandra Howson, PhD, answers your questions about writing, clients, CME strategy, and sustainable freelance life. Think of this podcast as your personal, earbud-friendly mentor—practical, honest, and always focused on helping you sharpen your skills, expand your opportunities, and thrive as a CME writer.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Needs Assessments to Narrative Impact: Positioning Yourself for CME Content Work

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Are you ready to move beyond writing needs assessments and step into the creative, story-driven side of CME—without losing the clients or confidence you’ve already built?

Many CME writers start with needs assessments. They’re structured, strategic, and an excellent way to learn the landscape. But what happens when you feel ready for more? When you want to create content that sparks learning, integrates clinical insight, and allows your creativity to shine? In this hot seat coaching episode, we meet Zsuzsa Csik, an anesthesiologist and critical care physician turned CME writer, who’s navigating that exact transition—and learning how to position herself for content work while building a sustainable freelance business.

By listening, you’ll discover:

How to strategically signal to clients that you’re ready for content creation projects.
Practical ways to use your clinical or scientific background as a bridge, not a barrier, to new opportunities.
Simple positioning tactics to align your current work with your long-term professional goals.

Press play now to learn how to move from analysis to creation, and start shaping the CME writing career you really want.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Expand Your CME Medical Writing Skills: Dual-Audience Strategies for Patient and Clinician Education

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

How do you take one complex medical concept and make it clear, accurate, and actionable for both clinicians and patients, without losing credibility?

If you’re a CME writer, you know the challenge of translating science into education that actually sticks. But as more CME projects tether clinician education with patient-facing components, the real test is flexing your craft to serve two very different audiences at once. Get this right, and you not only improve learning, you expand your professional scope and impact.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

How to apply practical frameworks to dual-audience writing.
Structural techniques that make content engaging, empathetic, and accessible.
A simple 3-sentence exercise to sharpen clarity for patients and precision for clinicians—anytime, anywhere.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to expand your CME writing craft into dual-audience education with one portable tool you can start using today.

Resources

Resources to support plain language, readability, and accessibility.

Episodes Mentioned

EP31: Cultivating a Visual Mindset with Karen Roy and Bhaval Shah
EP 41: Nurture Connection-Tell them a Story with Ben Riggs
EP109: Crafting Inclusive and Accessible Medical Content with Virginia Chachati

Practice: Explain one complex idea in three sentences, twice—once for patients, once for clinicians.

Take one complex concept: SGLT2 inhibitors reduce heart failure hospitalizations.

For patients:

What it is: “These medicines help your kidneys release extra sugar, which also helps your heart.”
Why it matters: “That can mean fewer breathless days and fewer hospital stays.”
What to do next: “Ask your doctor if one of these medicines could work for you, and share any kidney issues you’ve had.”

For clinicians:

Mechanism and trial anchor in one sentence.
Link to the guideline.
Patient selection + monitoring.

Here’s why this exercise matters: most adults in the U.S. read at about an 8th grade level, and nearly 1 in 5 at or below 5th grade. When we condense a complex medical concept into three short sentences—plain, clear, active—we’re not “dumbing down.” We’re writing accessibly, building trust, and giving patients a fair chance to participate in their care.

This 3-sentence rule is your portable tool for making health literacy visible in practice. And the bonus? It sharpens your clinician writing too—forcing clarity, precision, and focus on what truly matters.

Mentioned in this episode:

Write Medicine Mentor

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

How to Overcome Academic Trauma and Build Confidence as a Freelance Medical Writer

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

What if leaving academia—or another tightly defined professional path—felt less like failure and more like freedom?

For many academics, clinicians, and researchers, stepping into freelance medical writing isn’t just a career change—it’s a profound identity shift. Too often, this transition carries grief, shame, or the lingering sense of “not enough.” In this episode, we explore how those feelings show up, why they matter, and how to reframe them as fuel for your writing career.

By listening, you’ll discover:

Why the transition from academia or clinical practice can feel like trauma—and how to reframe it as strength.
Four entrepreneurial habits that can help you thrive as a freelance medical writer while avoiding their shadow sides.
Simple, practical practices—like free writing and mindful self-awareness—that help you claim permission, rebuild confidence, and cultivate a sustainable business mindset.

Press play now to learn how to navigate identity loss, tap into your natural strengths, and take small steps toward building a medical writing business that feels truly your own.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Write Medicine Mentor

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Designing CME for Behavior Change: Sarah Atwood on Learning Science in Action

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

What if the CME you design could do more than deliver knowledge—what if it could actually change clinician behavior and improve patient care?

As a CME writer or education professional, you’ve likely felt the frustration of producing content that looks strong on paper but doesn’t translate into meaningful practice change. This episode explores how learning science, human-centered design, and patient co-creation can help you bridge the gap between information and impact.

By listening, you will discover:

Learning science principles, like Mayer’s multimedia principles, that make education stick.
The difference between learning change and behavior change, and why both matter in CME.
How aligning clinician and patient education fosters shared decision-making and better healthcare outcomes.

Press play now to learn practical strategies you can use to design CME that transforms knowledge into real-world change.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Craft to Confidence: What's Coming Up in Season 11

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 22:00:00 -0700

What does it take to move from order-taker to trusted partner in CME writing?

That’s the single question driving this new season of Write Medicine.

In this 15-minute teaser episode, Alex introduces the season theme—Craft to Confidence: A CME Writer’s Season of Growth—and gives you a preview of what’s ahead. You’ll hear how guest interviews and solo tactical episodes will work together to help you build your skills, expand your visibility, and strengthen your confidence as a CME writer.

Whether you’re transitioning from academia, clinical practice, or another writing specialty, this season will give you both the craft tools and the career clarity to thrive in continuing medical education.

Episodes to Look Forward To

Designing for learning with Sarah Atwood
Hot Seat Coaching on attracting content projects and integrating academic skills into CME
Leveraging Milkshake Moments with Michelle Skidmore
Identity, trauma, and resilience with Hope Lafferty
Solo walk-throughs on interviewing SMEs, turning education gaps and needs into activity agendas, publishing manuscripts, and more

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Write Medicine Mentor

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Anxiety to Action: What Every Medical Writer Needs to Know About AI Integration

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0700

If you’re a medical writer today, you're no stranger to tight deadlines, dense source material, and the pressure to deliver educational content that is both engaging and evidence-based. These demands are particularly acute in the world of continuing medical education (CME), where accuracy, clarity, and relevance matter more than ever.

As the medical writing landscape evolves, so do the tools that support us. Among the most promising of these is MACg, a generative AI-powered assistant that helps medical writers streamline document analysis, content creation, and research. For writers working in CME or adjacent fields, MACg offers more than convenience—it offers a meaningful shift in how we work.

Tune in to learn how I’m using MACg as a collaborative partner in my workflow rather than a replacement for my creative process.

Resources

Grab your fee trial of MACg

Summer Script Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Barbershops to Boardrooms: Pioneering CME in Unexpected Spaces

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 21:33:00 -0700

How do you design CME that reaches the communities most affected by HIV—and not just the clinicians who already have access?

If you're a CME professional grappling with how to address layered issues like stigma, housing insecurity, or racial disparities, you’re not alone. This episode dives into what it takes to create truly inclusive education—especially when traditional strategies fall short. Whether you’re designing education for clinicians or collaborating with community partners, you’ll find actionable ideas to bring your programming closer to the ground.

Specifically, you'll learn:

How to build authentic partnerships with community leaders who can serve as trusted bridges between healthcare providers and hard-to-reach populations.
The essential infrastructure you need to establish before launching community-based programs, from setting up referral networks that ensure patients don't fall through cracks after screening to tracking both clinical outcomes and demographic data that funders require.
A proven framework for developing educational content with cultural humility and how to work with expert faculty who understand nuanced communication challenges.

Connect with Dean

🌐 https://DKBMED.COM

Resources

Signup for Summer Script Camp

Get TextExpander

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Scattered to Specific: How a Niche Can Save Your Sanity (and Your Business)

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0700

Are you a freelance CME writer juggling too many project types and wondering if it’s time to finally “niche down”?

In the world of continuing medical education (CME), clarity and focus aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for sustainable business growth. If you’re feeling stretched thin, jumping between clients and therapeutic areas, this episode explores how finding a niche can reduce overwhelm, streamline your process, and even attract the kinds of clients who value what you do most. Here’s what you’ll gain from this episode:

A practical definition of what a niche is—and what it isn’t—so you can stop second-guessing yourself.
Examples of how different niches can emerge from your background, preferences, or even your favorite types of client relationships.
A step-by-step approach to experimenting your way into a niche, without the pressure to get it “perfect” from the start.

Tune in now to learn how niching can simplify your business, supercharge your marketing, and help you find work that truly energizes you.

LINKS

Grab the Niche Discovery Checklist

Signup for Summer Script Camp

If you are looking for ongoing CME content strategy tips, tools, and tactics, subscribe to the Write Medicine Insider newsletter.

Get TextExpander

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Silos to Synergy: Designing CME for Real-World Healthcare Teams with Dr. Tina Patel Gunaldo

Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:00 -0700

How can continuing education break down professional silos and foster real collaboration among healthcare teams?

If you create CME/CE content, you’ve likely encountered the challenge of writing for “teams” that still operate in silos. This episode with interprofessional education expert Dr. Tina Patel Gunaldo, Founder, Collaborate for Health, reveals why just using the term “team-based care” isn’t enough—and how content creators can more accurately reflect the evolving nature of healthcare collaboration. As patient-centered models expand and asynchronous care becomes the norm, CME professionals need a deeper understanding of roles, language, and practice contexts to design impactful education.

Discover the critical differences between interprofessional, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary practice—and why it matters for CME writing.
Learn how to structure education that empowers team collaboration and respects the unique contributions of each discipline.
Understand the growing role of patients, technology, and asynchronous communication in shaping interprofessional collaboration today.

And if you’re unsure when to use “interprofessional” vs “multidisciplinary”? We’ve got you covered. We created a one-page Quick Reference Guide to help you use team-based language precisely and avoid common traps in CME writing. It’s perfect for writers, educators, and reviewers who want to level up their clarity. Grab the download in the show notes and keep it handy as you create your next piece of content.

Tune in now to learn how you can write CME content that reflects real-world collaboration—and elevates both learner experience and patient care outcomes.

Connect with Tina

Website: https://collaborateforhealth.com

Interprofessional Terms Quick Reference Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Raising the Bar: Essential Competencies for CME Writers with Haifa Kassis and Don Harting

Wed, 21 May 2025 13:00:00 -0700

Are you unsure which skills you need to thrive as a CME writer (or need for your writers)—or how to prove your value in an increasingly competitive field?

Many medical writers stumble into CME with strong writing chops but little clarity about what the role truly demands. At the same time, education providers struggle to find writers who are not just capable—but competent. This episode bridges that gap. Don Harting and Haifa Kassis join us to unpack the results of their groundbreaking Delphi study on CME writing competencies, revealing what hiring managers really want and how you can grow your career strategically.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The four core competencies every CME writer should master today
Which deliverables are in high demand—and which are vanishing
How this competency model can support onboarding, training, and upskilling.

Press play to learn how to align your writing skills with what the CME industry actually needs—so you can stand out, get hired, and grow with confidence.

Resources

Kassis, H., & Harting, D. (2024). Medical Writing for Continuing Education in the Health Professions: A Competency Model. Journal of CME, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/28338073.2024.2422709

CME Writers’ Toolbox

Delphi Panelists

WriteCME Pro: Accelerate your freelance CME writing business growth

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to CME Writing Challenges 00:20 Meet the Researchers: Haifa Kassis and Don Harting 01:19 The Competency Model: Key Findings 02:40 Expert Consensus and Methodology 06:16 Surprising Insights and Real-World Challenges 11:15 Practical Applications and Future Directions 24:35 Emerging Competencies and Industry Trends 28:47 Conclusion and Contact Information

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Diagnosis to Advocacy: What Rare Disease Teaches Us About CME

Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 -0700

How do we create continuing education that prepares clinicians to deliver life-changing diagnoses with both precision and compassion?
In this episode, we explore what happens when the scientist’s role as a communicator intersects with the lived experience of parenting a child with a rare disease. I'm talking with Dr. Jennifer Brown, a geneticist who recently published a memoir, When the Baby is not OK: Hopes and Genes, based on her experience of parenting children diagnosed with PKU through newborn screening.

For CME professionals, this episode is a call to rethink how we center narrative, ethics, and emotional intelligence in our content, especially when evidence alone isn’t enough to support meaningful patient care.

Learn how outdated narratives and clinical language can alienate patients—and how reframing them can build trust and support retention in care.
Hear why integrating lived experience into CME is essential for designing education that resonates beyond the exam room.
Discover how personal storytelling, ethical reflection, and patient advocacy can enrich data-driven CME writing.

▶️ Press play to discover how Dr. Jennifer Brown’s dual lens—as a geneticist and parent—can sharpen your skills as a more empathetic, informed CME professional.

Connect with Jennifer

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Beyond PubMed: CME's Hidden Treasure Map

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0700

CME professionals, medical writers, educators, and researchers - what would you do if PubMed suddenly became less accessible? You depend on this critical resource daily to find evidence-based information that powers your work. But recent funding uncertainties at the NIH have raised questions about its future.

You need consistent, reliable access to quality biomedical research to meet deadlines and maintain credibility, but navigating alternatives can feel overwhelming. Where would you even begin if your go-to resource is compromised?

Today's episode is your insurance policy. My conversation with medical librarian Rachel Wedeward MLIS, AHIP reveals not only why PubMed matters, but also provides you with practical alternatives, including a downloadable resource sheet, and evaluation strategies to ensure you'll never be left without the research you need - no matter what happens.

In this episode, you'll discover:

The remarkable infrastructure behind PubMed's indexing system that makes it an indispensable tool for organizing and accessing biomedical research
A comprehensive overview of complementary resources, including European PubMed Central and specialized databases that can enhance your research approach
Practical wisdom for evaluating evidence quality

Listen now to expand your research toolkit with expert knowledge that will help you confidently navigate the evolving landscape of medical information resources.

Connect with Rachel

Website

📚 Resources

PubMed The essential biomedical database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A critical starting point for CME writers and medical educators to access peer-reviewed research.

European PubMed Central A free database of biomedical and life sciences research literature from Europe. A strong alternative to PubMed.

Grey Literature Sources Sometimes the best insights aren’t found in journals. Examples of trusted grey literature repositories include:

Find guides on Rachel's website

Alex's Sharable Evidence Bank (>70 sources)

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Building a Thriving CME Community: Why Networking Isn’t Enough for Career Growth

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0700

Do you ever feel like you're navigating your career in CME alone, unsure of where you fit in or how to grow without burning out?

Many CME professionals work independently or remotely, which can be both rewarding and isolating. Beyond professional networks, building a true community can provide the support, engagement, and inspiration needed to thrive in this field. In this episode, we explore why community matters in CME, how it enhances career growth and well-being, and practical steps you can take to create meaningful connections.

Discover how a strong professional community can boost your career and well-being.
Understand the key elements that define a thriving professional community.
Learn practical ways to engage in and build a community that supports your growth in CME.

Listen now to uncover the power of community in CME and learn how to cultivate meaningful professional connections that will support your long-term success.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: Navigating the CME Field Alone

00:48 The Importance of Community in CME

01:50 Defining Community and Its Elements

02:38 Personal Experiences of Belonging

03:50 Shared Values and Mutual Support in CME

05:08 Networks vs. Communities

06:29 Benefits of Community for CME Professionals

10:19 Practical Steps to Engage in Community

11:01 Conclusion and Next Steps

Next WriteCME Accelerator Cohort is May, 2025.

Join the Waitlist.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

PubMed Uncertainty: Smart Alternatives for CME Professionals

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:26:00 -0700

What would happen if the go-to resource for your CME research—PubMed—became unreliable or inaccessible? Would your workflow survive the disruption?

As CME professionals, we depend on PubMed for high-quality, evidence-based research. But with looming funding changes it’s time to rethink how we source medical literature. This episode unpacks the latest developments and gives you a proactive plan to safeguard your research process.

Learn why PubMed's future is uncertain and what that means for CME professionals.
Discover alternative medical research tools that can fill the gaps if PubMed access is disrupted.
Get expert-backed strategies to diversify your literature search and stay ahead of potential research barriers.

Hit play now to future-proof your CME research strategy and ensure uninterrupted access to high-quality medical literature!

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of PubMed for CME Professionals

00:32 Potential Threats to PubMed

02:21 Speculative Changes and Their Implications

02:40 Preparing for Potential Disruptions

03:03 Alternative Research Tools and Strategies

04:06 Staying Informed and Connected

04:26 Conclusion and Call to Action

Resources

Europe PMC – A free resource for accessing biomedical literature, serving as an alternative to PubMed.
Wayback Machine – A digital archive that allows retrieval of past versions of web pages, including government health pages.
DeepDyve – A subscription-based service that archives PubMed files daily and provides access to research papers.
EU Clinical Trials Register – A database of clinical trials conducted in Europe, cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov.

Leave a voice note for Alex

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Empowering Nurses Through Education: Reducing Burnout, Building Leadership, and Elevating Care

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0700

How can continuing education transform nursing practice, reduce burnout, and empower nurses to advocate for themselves?

Nurses are essential to patient care, yet many struggle with limited access to high-quality education, workplace advocacy, and professional development. As CME professionals and medical writers, we have the power to create learning experiences that not only enhance clinical skills but also support nurse well-being and retention. In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of nursing education with Drs. Jennifer Shepard and Sean DeGarmo, two leaders from the American Nurses Association (ANA), who explore how we can design more impactful, outcomes-driven education for nurses.

Discover how the 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses is reshaping professional development and why it matters for your CME programs.
Learn how continuing education directly combats burnout and improves nurse retention—and what that means for healthcare organizations.
Gain insights into the challenges of funding and implementing nurse education, and strategies to advocate for protected education budgets.

Press play now to learn how you can contribute to the future of nursing education and design CE programs that truly make a difference!

Abbreviations

Here are the acronyms mentioned in the episode along with their full forms:

ANA – American Nurses Association
CNE – Continuing Nursing Education
CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CE – Continuing Education
CME – Continuing Medical Education
APP – Advanced Practice Provider
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
PHI – Protected Health Information
PI – Personal Information
LACE – Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education
GME – Graduate Medical Education
OPP – Organizational Practice Policies
AAPA – American Academy of Physician Associates
LACE – Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Nursing Education Challenges

00:40 Meet the Experts: Dr. Jennifer Shepard and Dr. Sean de Garmo

01:54 The 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses

08:02 Addressing Gaps in Nursing Education

10:41 The Importance of Continuing Education in Combating Burnout

16:40 Advocating for Nursing Education and Professional Development

24:04 Outcomes-Based Education and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

34:50 Conclusion: The Lifeline of Continuing Education

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Missing Data? How to Keep Your CME Content Evidence-Based

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0700

What happens when the data you rely on for CME content suddenly disappears? CME depends on credible, transparent data to inform healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes. But new policy shifts have restricted access to essential sources, leaving medical writers scrambling for alternatives. Without these data points, how can we continue producing accurate, impactful education? This episode explores how to navigate these challenges and source reliable evidence for CME content.

Tune in to learn where to find alternative, credible health data sources beyond federal agencies.

Don’t let disappearing data derail your CME planning.

Resource

Grab your link to a living spreadsheet of alternative data and evidence sources.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Disappearing Public Health Data

01:20 Impact of Data Removal on Public Health

05:40 Alternative Data Sources for CME Professionals

09:33 Actionable Steps for CME Professionals

10:52 Conclusion and Call to Action

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Follow the Money: The Unexpected Economics of CME

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0700

Is private equity's growing influence in continuing medical education changing the quality of learning in the health professions?

As a CME professional, you need to navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape where commercial support has dropped, and private equity firms are rapidly acquiring education providers. Understanding these shifts is crucial for developing sustainable, high-quality educational programs and navigating your way as a CME professional.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

How CME funding has evolved from primarily university-based to a complex mix of commercial support, registration fees, and private investment
Why private equity firms are acquiring CME providers and what this means for content development
Key strategies for maintaining educational quality and professional relationships in an environment of frequent mergers and acquisitions

Listen now to gain insights into the $4.23 billion CME industry's funding transformation and position yourself for success in this rapidly changing landscape.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: The Art of Hustling Pool and CME

00:54 AI Bootcamp for Medical Writers

01:32 The Complex Financial Side of CME

02:06 Evolution of CME Funding

02:42 Pharmaceutical Influence and Regulations

05:47 The Impact of Compliance and Regulatory Codes

07:06 Current CME Funding Landscape

08:21 Private Equity in CME

10:48 Challenges and Questions for CME Professionals

12:08 Conclusion: Ensuring Educational Quality

Resources

Ratnasekera A, Impact of private equity on graduate medical education: A slippery slope. Am J Surg. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.116160
ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Continuing Education (2020)
ACCME Data Report. Thriving Through Growth and Innovation—2023.
ACCME. Toolkit for the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

AI, Art & Social Networks in Continuing Education for Health Professionals

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0700

What if everything we believe about driving change in healthcare education is fundamentally wrong - and AI might be making it worse? As healthcare education rapidly embraces AI and digital transformation, you're likely grappling with crucial decisions about how to integrate new technologies while ensuring your programs remain equitable and effective. The latest Alliance for Continuing Education in Health Professions conference keynotes reveal surprising insights about AI bias, observation skills, and behavior change that challenge conventional approaches to CME program design.

• Discover concrete strategies to identify and address AI bias in your educational programs, including a practical checklist for evaluating AI integration in healthcare education

• Learn how art history methods can dramatically improve clinical observation skills through specific techniques like "close looking" and formal analysis

• Master the science of "complex contagion" to design more effective peer learning networks, backed by new research showing networked physician groups make significantly fewer diagnostic errors

Listen now to transform your CME programs with evidence-based insights from Dr. Immani Shephard, Dr. Siobhan Conaty, and Dr. Damon Centola on AI ethics, clinical observation, and driving meaningful change in healthcare education.

Resources

Glickman, M., Sharot, T. How human–AI feedback loops alter human perceptual, emotional and social judgements. Nat Hum Behav (2024).

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Don't Be Kodak: Future-Proofing Your CME Strategy

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Write Medicine, I speak with Ginny Jacobs, Principal of Quality Catalyst Group, about the necessary disruption happening in continuing medical education (CME). Drawing from her recent co-authored Almanac article, Ginny discusses four major shifts in the field and what they mean for CME professionals.

Four Major Shifts in CME:

Increased use of technology, including artificial intelligence
Evolution in the science of learning and cognitive load
Technology utilization for clinical practice relevance
Development of adaptive and collaborative models across disciplines

Key Takeaways:

Data collection and analysis remain significant challenges for many CME organizations
The importance of "unlearning" outdated approaches while maintaining what works
Strategic alignment with organizational priorities is crucial for success
The field must evolve from episodic learning to sustainable, data-driven approaches

Looking Ahead:

Need for more systematic professional development in CME
Importance of collaboration to avoid common challenges
Focus on creating nimble educational systems with robust assessment
Emphasis on critical thinking and practical application

Resources

Jacobs G, McGowan B, Paynter N, et al. Necessary Disruption 2.0: A Continuing Education Call to Action. Alliance Almanac. Nov 18, 2024.

Alliance Annual Conference, January 8-11, Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando, FL.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Future-Proofing Your CME Writing Biz: Preparing for 2025

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Are you prepared for how AI and private equity will reshape continuing medical education (CME) in 2025? As CME professionals face rapid industry changes, staying ahead of emerging trends is crucial for creating impactful educational content. This episode unpacks the key developments that will affect how you develop and deliver CME programs in the coming year.

In this episode, you'll discover:

How to leverage emerging trends like AI and confidence frameworks to position yourself as an indispensable strategic partner to your clients
Practical strategies to integrate patient perspectives and real-world data into your content development process
Specific ways to evolve your service offerings and build flexible workflows that adapt to changing project dynamics

Press play to unlock your roadmap for thriving in the 2025 CME landscape and learn exactly how to future-proof your freelance business in an industry that's transforming at breakneck speed.Future Proof

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Evolving CME Landscape

00:49 Key Trends Shaping CME in 2025

03:23 The Role of Artificial Intelligence in CME

06:30 Confidence Frameworks and Outcomes Measurement

13:25 Patient-Focused Education

17:38 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

19:56 Impact of Private Equity on CME

21:41 Practical Strategies for Independent CME Professionals

24:44 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Resources

WriteCME Pro

Finding the Freelance Clients You Deserve

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

FDA’s Digital Health Center of Excellence

AI in CME Cheat Sheet

AMA’s Health Equity Resource Center

AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) toolkits on cultural competency and equity in medical education.

WHO’s Social Determinants of Health Framework.

CME/CE Market Trends

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Is the Human-AI Handshake the Future of CE? With Stephanie Preuss

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Are you struggling to balance high-quality medical education content creation with increasing demands for varied formats and accessibility?

As CME/CE professionals face mounting pressure to create more content across multiple platforms while maintaining scientific accuracy, traditional writing approaches are becoming unsustainable. Learn how leading scientific publisher Springer Nature is revolutionizing content development through AI integration, offering valuable lessons for medical education professionals seeking to enhance their content creation process.

Listen to discover:

A practical framework for incorporating AI tools while maintaining content integrity and human expertise, including specific approaches to quality control and oversight
Strategic methods for adapting complex medical content for different audience levels without sacrificing scientific accuracy, supported by AI-assisted processes
Proven techniques for accelerating content development across multiple formats while ensuring consistent quality and clear communication

Transform your CME/CE process by learning how scientific publishing's "human-AI handshake" approach can help you create more impactful educational content in less time.

Timestamps

07:44 AI aids in content conversion and audience targeting.

10:36 Encourage AI use transparently for in-house tools.

12:22 Exploring AI support for writing and social media.

17:08 Free research roundups offer interdisciplinary literature overview.

20:57 Novels prioritize style, factual books prioritize clarity.

23:29 Developed LLM prompting expertise with skilled writers.

25:19 Balancing human interaction with scalable automation.

Resources

We’ve built a brand new program for you that prioritizes foundational skills, implementation support, and connection.

There’s a limited quantity of this offer available, so this week we’re sharing it only with those who are on our secret list.

If you’re interested click here and we’ll send you an email with more info.

Next week, we’ll share the official announcement with everyone else.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Uncensored: Fearless CME Writer Questions, Breakthrough Solutions

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you turning down lucrative CME writing opportunities because you're unsure how to handle client conversations about pricing, research access, or expanding your services?

As a CME writer, you know the challenge of building a sustainable business isn't just about writing skills - it's about making smart decisions about which projects to take, how to access resources, and when to specialize. From negotiating research access fees to breaking free from the needs assessment cycle, every decision impacts your growth potential. In this episode, I take you inside a real CME writers' strategy session where we tackle these exact challenges head-on.

By listening to this episode, you will:

• Learn proven strategies for handling awkward client conversations about project scope and resource access without damaging relationships

• Discover how to leverage your expertise in one area (like needs assessments) to expand into new opportunities while maintaining your current client base

• Master the art of responding confidently to questions about therapeutic specialties while keeping doors open for diverse opportunities

Press play now to get an unfiltered look at how experienced CME writers navigate real business challenges and come away with practical strategies you can implement in your next client conversation.

Resources

Howson A. WriteCME Roadmap: How to Thrive in CME with No Experience, No Network, and No Clue. 2024. Tilt Publishing.

WriteCME Roadmap Launch Party

For tips on getting around publishing paywalls see How to write a literature review

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Embrace Your Voice: How to Optimize the Power of Pause, Timing, and Flow in CME Script Writing

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Do you struggle to transform dense medical information into scripts that sound natural when read aloud in videos or podcasts?

As a medical writer or CME professional, you know the challenge of bridging the gap between technical accuracy and listener engagement. Your scripts need to convey complex scientific concepts while maintaining clarity and holding the audience's attention. This balancing act can feel like an insurmountable task, especially when you're writing for diverse audiences from patients to specialists.

In this episode of Write Medicine, voice actor Emma Clarke shares invaluable insights that will help you:

1. Master the art of writing for the spoken word in medical education

2. Learn techniques to make dense scientific content more accessible and engaging when read aloud

3. Understand the crucial elements of pacing, clarity, and pronunciation in voiceover scripts

Tune in now to unlock the secrets of crafting medical voiceover scripts that inform, engage, and inspire your audience.

Connect with Emma

📧 emma@emmaclarke.com

🌐 https://emmaclarke.com

📰 https://ebclarke.substack.com

X/Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Freelance Like a Pro: Niching, Marketing, and SOPs with Alejandra Viviescas

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you a freelance medical writer struggling to streamline your workflow and grow your business? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by client management, marketing, and the constant need to prove your value?

If you're looking to transform your freelance medical writing career from chaotic to confident, especially in the field of Continuing Medical Education, this episode is for you.

Today Alejandra Viviescas PhD joins me to explore practical strategies that can transform your approach to client relationships, help you overcome self-doubt, and build a thriving business.

By listening to this episode, you will:

Learn how to implement a client acquisition flywheel that turns each project into a marketing opportunity
Discover how to use checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline your workflow and reduce anxiety in client interactions
Gain insights on how to use your multilingual skills to stand out in the medical writing field.

Press play now to unlock your competitive edge in freelance CME writing and get ready to create systems that work for you, not against you.

Resources

Jim Collins. The Flywheel Effect.

Nathan Barry. Authority: Become an Expert, Build a Following, and Gain Financial Independence. 2014. Aloha Publishing.

Josh Spector. How To Create Powerful Content (Without Spending More Time On It). I Want To Know podcast.

Alexjandra Viviescas PhD. Flywheel.

Ready, Steady, CME!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Savvy Money-Saving Hacks for Thriving Freelance Medical Writers

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you a new medical writer feeling overwhelmed by the costs of starting your career? Do you hesitate to invest in expensive resources, wondering if there's a smarter way to begin? You're not alone. Many aspiring medical writers struggle to balance their passion for the field with the financial realities of getting started.

But what if I told you that you don't need to break the bank to launch your medical writing career? In this episode, we're diving into 12 money-saving hacks that can help you access vital resources, improve your skills, and network effectively - all while keeping your budget intact.

Whether you're looking to find free alternatives to pricey databases, discover cost-effective ways to enhance your skills or learn how to leverage existing resources you might have overlooked, this episode is your guide to smart, budget-friendly strategies for kickstarting your medical writing journey.

Sometimes expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. Stay tuned for tips that could save you hundreds if not thousands, of dollars as you embark on your exciting new career path.

1. Leverage Free Resources: From PubMed and Google Docs to public libraries and government health websites, there's a wealth of free tools and information at your fingertips. Make the most of these resources before investing in paid alternatives.

2. Invest in Learning, Not Just Tools: Focus on building your skills through free online courses, virtual conferences, and skill-swapping. Your knowledge and abilities are your most valuable assets, and many ways to enhance them don't cost a dime.

3. Start Simple and Scale Up: Begin with a basic setup and free versions of software. As your career grows and your needs evolve, you can make informed decisions about which paid tools and resources are truly worth the investment.

Resources

Write Medicine podcast. How to Streamline Your Medical Writing Literature Review Process

WriteCME Pro—a professional development program for medical writers ready to specialize in CME

QueText

Grammarly

MedTerms

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Root Cause Analysis: How to Easily Transform Your Needs Assessments

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Is your CME content scratching the surface or truly addressing the core issues in healthcare practice?

As a CME professional, you're constantly striving to create educational interventions that make a real difference. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, the impact falls short of expectations. Root cause analysis (RCA) could be the missing piece in your needs assessment toolkit, helping you uncover the true sources of performance gaps and design more effective CME programs.

By listening to this episode, you'll discover:

How to apply RCA techniques to enhance your needs assessments and identify the root causes of practice gaps
Step-by-step guidance and practical tools for conducting RCA
Real-world examples of how RCA can lead to measurable improvements in healthcare outcomes

Tune in now to unlock the power of root cause analysis and revolutionize your approach to CME program development.

Resources

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Root Cause Analysis.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Improving Root Cause Analyses and Actions to Prevent Harm.

Singh G et al. Root Cause Analysis and Medical Error Prevention. StatPearls.

Driesen B et al. Root Cause Analysis Using the Prevention and Recovery Information System for Monitoring and Analysis Method in Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review. J Patient Saf. 2022;18(4):342-350

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

CME as a Strategic Resource in Quality Improvement with Katie West MSN

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you struggling to position your CME program as a strategic asset in your healthcare system?

As a CME professional in a hospital or health system, you're likely facing challenges in demonstrating the value of your programs beyond mere accreditation requirements. You know that CME has the potential to drive quality improvement and enhance patient care, but you may be finding it difficult to integrate your efforts with broader organizational goals.

In this episode of Write Medicine, you'll discover:

How to position CME as a strategic resource at the heart of your healthcare system's quality improvement initiatives
Practical strategies for building relationships across departments and specialties to create more impactful, coordinated education
Innovative approaches to measuring and demonstrating the effectiveness of your CME programs

Tune in now to unlock the secrets of making your CME program an indispensable driver of excellence in your healthcare system.

Timestamps

00:00 Nurse turned educator; now an RN CME specialist.

06:03 Partnering in rural Michigan for healthcare improvement.

07:51 Building relationships for proactive service line strategies.

10:32 Efforts to integrate CME as a strategic resource.

16:48 Education barriers: preconceived notions, resistance, limited human resources.

18:50 Collaborative case review meetings enhance treatment insights.

24:39 Using varied data for planning and support.

27:16 Annual symposium educates primary care providers comprehensively.

28:43 Advocating for joint accreditation in clinical education.

Resources

West K. Small Teams, Big Outcomes: Efficient CME Approaches. Alliance Almanac. August 21, 2024.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Embracing Visual Trends and Patient Voices: A New Era in Medical Education with Caroline Halford

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you a CME professional struggling to create engaging, accessible content that truly resonates with healthcare providers? You know the importance of staying current with medical advancements, but you're finding it challenging to deliver information in ways that stick. You want your educational materials to not only inform but also inspire change in clinical practice. If you're looking for innovative approaches to make your CME content more impactful, patient-centered, and adaptable to diverse learner needs and environments, this episode is for you. Join us to explore cutting-edge strategies in medical education that bridge the gap between information overload and meaningful learning experiences.

You’ll gain insights into:

Ways to engage with your partners as a crucial step in effective independent medical education
Techniques for incorporating patient voices and perspectives into CME activities
Approaches to using social media and digital platforms for enhanced learner engagement

Resources

Patient-Physician Perspective Collection
BMJ's What Your Patient is Thinking series
Tony Collier's article on living with prostate cancer
International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP)
Bredbenner K, Simon SM. Video abstracts and plain language summaries are more effective than graphical abstracts and published abstracts. PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0224697.
7 Unexpected Strategies To Refresh Your CME Needs Assessment

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Independent Medical Education

00:16 Guest Introduction: Caroline Helford

00:30 Fresh Approaches to Medical Education

01:02 Caroline's Background in Medical Publishing

08:12 Defining Independent Medical Education

09:22 The Role of Social Media in Medical Education

10:53 Importance of Visual and Accessible Content

19:02 Engaging Patients in Medical Education

32:31 Future Trends in Medical Education

35:46 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Build Your Medical Writing Portfolio: A Guide for CME Writers

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0700

You've got the writing skills. You're passionate about medical education. But every prospective CME client asks for that elusive portfolio. Sound familiar?

If you're an aspiring CME writer feeling stuck in this catch-22, you're in the right place. Today, we're breaking down how to build a compelling CME portfolio from scratch - even if you've never had a single client.

Listen in to:

Discover three practical strategies to build an impressive CME writing portfolio from scratch
Learn how to showcase your existing skills and experience in a way that appeals to CME clients
Get insider tips on creating portfolio-worthy samples like needs assessments and blog posts

Ready to turn your blank page into a showcase of your talents? Let's dive in.

Resources

Ready, Steady, CME!

Portfolio-building playbooks

WriteCME Pro

Finding the Freelance Clients You Deserve

7 Unexpected Strategies To Refresh Your CME Needs Assessment

How to Streamline Your Medical Writing Literature Review Process

Elevate Your Medical Writing: How to Choose the Right Literature Review Approach for Your Project

Timestamps

00:00 Alex discusses creating a CME medical writing portfolio for newbies. We explore three options for building a portfolio.

03:25 Diversify needs assessments, consider audience, interprofessional education.

08:12 Build your CME portfolio through networking, courses, and feedback.

09:54 Customize your portfolio to highlight professionalism and reliability. Subscribe for CME writing tips and resources.

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

When Clients Collide: Maintaining Integrity in Freelance CME Writing

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Have you ever faced the ethical dilemma of being asked to work on similar projects for competing clients?

As a freelance CME writer, you may encounter situations where multiple clients request your expertise for overlapping projects. This can put you in a challenging position, balancing professional ethics with business opportunities.

By listening to this episode, you will:

Learn how to navigate potential conflicts of interest in CME writing
Understand the ethical frameworks and principles that guide decision-making in medical education
Gain practical strategies for maintaining professional integrity while managing client relationships

Tune in now to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to make ethical decisions that protect your reputation and uphold the integrity of CME content creation.

Resources

WriteCMEpreneur Waitlist

Write Medicine Insider

Manifesting Wealth in Transitions Retreat

ACCME 2020 Standards for Integrity and Independence in Continuing Education

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:39 WriteCME Pro question on the ethical dilemma where two clients ask you to work on the same project

03:23 Exploring ethical frameworks

06:54 Variables affecting content integrity

09:55 The issue of conflict of interest

11:22 Transparency is another ethical consideration

12:13 Answering the WriteCME Pro question

13:23 Key takeaways from today's episode

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Burnout to Brilliance: Dr. Lisa Herbert’s Framework for Leadership Development

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you a physician feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of modern healthcare? Do you struggle to have your voice heard in an increasingly corporate medical landscape? Or perhaps you're a medical professional looking to step into a leadership role, but unsure how to begin?

As CME professionals, we work with physicians on a daily basis. But how tuned into their struggles and concerts are you? And how can education support physicians and other health professionals who are ready to grow into a leadership role?

As a healthcare or CME professional, you may struggle to maintain autonomy, influence decisions, and navigate the increasingly corporate medical environment. Today's episode with Dr. Lisa Herbert MD, FAAFP, CPEC addresses these challenges head-on, offering insights and strategies to help you reclaim your voice and emerge as an effective leader in your field.

Discover a proven framework for developing essential leadership skills tailored for physicians
Burnout can stem from increasing administrative burdens, corporate influence, and lack of autonomy, but coaching can provide tools to reclaim focus and purpose.
Learn the 5 Ps of leadership

Connect with Dr. Lisa

Just the Right Balance

Resources

Dr. Lisa's books

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:24 Introducing Lisa

05:20 Physicians losing their voice

07:28 The imperative for physicians to develop negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution skills

09:33 Challenges physicians are facing

13:07 Barriers to clinician autonomy from prioritizing clinical issues

15:39 The disincentives for physicians in training

16:42 A walkthrough of what Lisa teaches and offers to help physicians establish themselves as leaders

22:26 What steps to take to work with her

23:57 Lisa’s final thoughts on mindset

26:01 Key takeaways from today’s conversation with Lisa

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Competencies, Gaps, and Grants: Your Roadmap to Compelling CME Needs Assessments

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you struggling to create compelling needs assessments that win over supporters in today's evolving medical education landscape?

As a medical education grant writer or provider, you know that crafting targeted, data-driven needs assessments is crucial for securing funding and delivering impactful education. However, piecing together the right data and telling a persuasive story can be challenging, especially with the increasing expectations from supporters.

1. Gain expert insights from Nathalie Turner MS, ELS, a nearly 30-year veteran in medical education, on what makes a needs assessment compelling to supporters.

2. Learn the must-haves versus nice-to-haves in needs assessments and tips for balancing different stakeholder interests.

3. Discover where needs assessments are heading in the coming years and how to stay ahead of the curve.

Tune in now to hear Natalie share her wealth of knowledge and experience, empowering you to create winning needs assessments that secure funding and drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Connect with Nathalie

Director, Grant Development, Medscape Education

LinkedIn

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Introducing Nathalie and grant development

04:03 How needs assessments have changed in the last 3 decades

06:00 Working with the old model of a literature review

10:00 Steps to gathering supporter preferences for grant proposals

11:42 Must-haves versus nice-to-haves in proposals and needs assessments

13:48 What gaps are

15:20 Types of training and development the community needs to get even better at that investigative process

17:46 Balancing interests of different grant proposal readers

19:23 Challenges in compiling compelling needs assessment and grant proposals

20:20 Future trends in needs assessments and grant proposals

21:17 Nathalie's perspective on AI's role in writing needs assessments

23:28 Her thoughts on what's important to the needs assessment process

24:41 3 Key considerations for approaching needs assessments

27:07 Key takeaways from today's episode you can put into action right away

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Trauma Surgery Training: Simulations, Continuing Education, and Preventing Burnout with Stephen Cohn

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:49:32 -0700

What really happens behind the scenes when a severely injured trauma patient arrives at the hospital?

Emergency care providers need to act quickly and coordinate seamlessly with their team when seconds count to save a trauma patient's life. But the high-stakes, chaotic environment can make it challenging to stay calm, avoid errors, and prevent burnout, especially if you don't get to practice those skills regularly.

Stephen Cohn MD says trauma surgeons need to be experts at dealing with calamity. They are glue people, helping to hold together the entire hospital enterprise. In today's episode you'll get:

An inside look at real-world trauma resuscitation from a surgeon's perspective
Practical tips to optimize trauma teamwork, communication, and composure under pressure
Advice for both individuals and organizations on building sustainable trauma surgery careers

Listen now to hear Dr. Cohn's wisdom gleaned from 40+ years of managing the worst injuries imaginable.

Resources

Stephen M. Cohn MD. All Bleeding Stops: Life and Death in the Trauma Unit. Mayo Clinic Press. 2023.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Walk-through of the arrival of a trauma patient at the trauma center

10:14 Feelings in the trauma center and coordinated teamwork

14:12 Continuing medical education and team training

17:32 The work that trauma & general surgeons do and a wide array of potential surgical intervention

19:16 Innovations that have redefined and impacted trauma care

21:39 Common errors and misconceptions

23:27 Advice for younger surgeons on preventing burnout and preserving energy

25:37 Institutional support and resources

27:27 Key takeaways

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Elevate your CME Game: Insider Secrets from Kristen Dascoli to Transform Education Programs

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Kristen Dascoli, a seasoned pro with experience on both the editorial and business development sides of CME, pulls back the curtain on the development of a pioneering program on gender-affirming HIV care.

ELEVATE was a groundbreaking CME initiative that aimed to enhance healthcare providers' cultural competencies in delivering gender-affirming care to transgender and gender-diverse patients. From its pilot in January 2015 to its conclusion in the summer of 2019, ELEVATE conducted 26 trainings across 14 states, partnering with 9 chapters of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a county healthcare agency, and 13 health systems. The initiative reached nearly 1,500 healthcare professionals in primary care, infectious disease, and HIV practice settings through live events, an online webinar, interviews, and a published white paper, ultimately inspiring the creation of a Transgender Advisory Committee at one of the participating health systems.

1. Discover how a little targeted research into supporters' educational focus can help you create needs assessments that resonate with funders, while maintaining the highest standards of independence and objectivity.

2. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the development of ELEVATE and learn how you can apply similar strategies to bring your own visionary ideas to life.

3. Master the art of designing education that starts smart, scales strategically, and captures meaningful, measurable outcomes that demonstrate real-world impact.

Resources

McCrea AD, Dascoli KL. Inclusion in Education, Part 1: Designing a Gender-affirming Educational Initiative. Alliance Almanac. October 2017.

McCrea AD, Dascoli KL. Inclusion in Education, Part 2: A New Method for Measuring Changes in Skill, Attitude, and Behavior. Alliance Almanac. April 2018.

Connect with Kristen

Freelance Medical Writer/Editor/Business Consultant

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:40 Kristen's Background in CME

03:54 The changes in the process of writing needs assessments

05:52 Walking through the process of the development and impact of a program like Elevate

12:13 Lessons from the pilot program of Elevate

15:42 How Elevate changed Kristen and the organization she worked in

19:56 How to establish and build relationships

23:40 Starting conversations for collaboration

27:22 Surprising outcomes and feedback

30:42 Advice for education providers who want to develop innovative programs

34:23 How to start to be brave and make connections

37:52 Challenges writers have when writing a needs assessment for a grant proposal

44:18 Recap of today's episodes key takeaways

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Navigating Self-Doubt in Continuing Medical Education: Insights from Milini Mingo

Wed, 29 May 2024 12:36:42 -0700

Are you struggling with feelings of self-doubt in your continuing education career?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or doubtful about your abilities in continuing education's fast-paced, ever-changing world, you're not alone. In this episode of Write Medicine, Milini Mingo reviews the history of the imposter phenomenon, shares a three-step approach to navigating self-doubt, and challenges the CE community to create professional development resources for ourselves that are oriented around improvement in our competence and performance.

1. Recognize how self-doubt or imposter phenomenon shows up as the first step towards managing it effectively.

2. Learn practical strategies for managing self-doubt, including reframing negative narratives and implementing tools to support your growth.

3. Find encouragement and a sense of community, knowing that others in the CE field have faced and overcome similar struggles.

Connect with Milini

Resources

Mingo M. Back to Basics: The 7 Pillars of CE. Alliance Almanac. March 27, 2024.

Mingo M. Imposter Syndrome: Is It Holding You Back? Alliance Almanac. November 13, 2023.

Claire Bonneau/Email Marketing

Website

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:31 Introducing Milini

06:28 The big picture of continuing education

07:43 The 7 pillars of CE

12:18 Why she wrote the piece for the Alliance Almanac on imposter syndrome

14:49 How the article resonated with people in the field

15:24 Exploring imposter syndrome: What it is and how it shows up

17:12 The consequences of imposter syndrome

18:41 Milini’s thoughts on imposter syndrome vs imposter phenomenon

21:43 How imposter syndrome shows up and affects people’s work

23:45 How to collectively start to affirm people's presence in this field and provide support that dissipates imposter syndrome

25:20 Key takeaways on moving forward in the CME field

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Gender Equity in CME: Practical Strategies for Empowerment

Wed, 22 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Have you ever wondered how gender inequities affect career progression in the world of continuing medical education/professional development (CME/CPD)?

In this episode, we explore women's pervasive challenges in CME and CPD, from microaggressions to barriers in leadership roles. Whether you're looking to climb the career ladder or simply gain insights into the dynamics of gender equality within your field, this conversation sheds light on critical issues affecting many in the industry.

1. Discover strategies to navigate and overcome gender-based barriers to career advancement in CME and CPD.

2. Learn how to build and leverage a supportive network that can help propel your career forward.

3. Gain insights into the real experiences and solutions from industry veterans Poonam Kapadia and Annette Schwind, who have successfully navigated these waters.

Tune in to arm yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for equity and forge a path to leadership in medical education.

Connect with Poonam and Annette

Poonam Kapadia, Vice President, Education Strategy: poonam.kapadia@kaplan.edu

Annette Schwind, Associate Director, Medical Grants & Sponsorships, LinkedIn, annette.schwind@takeda.com

Resources

Field E, Krivkovich A, Kügele S, Robinson N, Yee L. Women in the Workplace Report, McKinsey, 2023.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:35 Introducing Poonam and Annette

05:37 How they started getting interested in gender inequities in CME/CPD

10:45 More about the poll they took at the Alliance panel in New Orleans 2024 and what surprised them

14:00 Women’s experiences of microaggressions

16:09 Starting the conversation on intersectionality

20:09 Addressing pay inequities

25:53 Building trust in a distributed field

32:31 Skills and strategies for women navigating CME careers

36:32 Practical takeaways from today's episode

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The CEO of You: Why Investing in Yourself is the Key to Freelance Medical Writing Success

Mon, 20 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you tired of feeling like your freelance medical writing business is running you, instead of the other way around?

Many freelance medical writers find themselves stuck in a reactive cycle, pouring all their time and energy into client projects but neglecting the strategic work that will actually move their business forward. They dream of a thriving, fulfilling business where they're in the driver's seat, but struggle to find the time or headspace to make it a reality amidst the constant deadlines and demands.

You are the most important resource in your business. In this episode you’ll learn:

Practical strategies for distinguishing between working ON vs. IN your business, so you can invest in the big-picture tasks that drive growth
Actionable tips for cultivating discernment around what you say yes and no to, so you can focus your time and energy on the right clients and projects
A roadmap for scaling your business intentionally by defining your core services and optimizing your processes for efficiency and impact

If you're ready to take control of your freelance medical writing journey and build a business that truly energizes and fulfills you, hit play now and let's dive into why YOU are your most important resource.

Resources

Claire Bonneau, Email Newsletter Writer

Write Medicine Insider

Niche Discovery Checklist

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:18 Working in vs working on your business

02:55 3 steps to take today to work on your business

04:24 Discernment is key to your freelance medical writing business when thinking about investing in yourself

06:46 3 steps to take today to be discerning with your yes and your no

09:12 Leveraging social media for your freelance medical writing success

10:43 3 steps to take today to focus your time and effort on social media

13:25 Scaling your business intentionally

13:58 3 steps to take right now to start scaling your business with intention

16:34 Prioritizing your well-being

17:54 3 steps to take right now to start taking care of yourself

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Busting Silos: The Evolution of Independent Medical Education

Wed, 15 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you curious about the role of Medical Affairs in Independent Medical Education (IME)? Perhaps you're struggling to demonstrate the value and impact of your programs in a way that resonates with IME teams.

IME is evolving. Today’s episode with IME expert Nancy Paynter discusses the pivotal role of IME within the broader scope of medical affairs and provides valuable insights to help you effectively communicate your initiative's impact to IME personnel.

By tuning in, you'll discover:

The concept of the "scientific journey" for clinicians
How IME is focused on digitizing data on clinical and patient decision-making
What the evolution of IME within Medical Affairs means for CME/CPD.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving role of IME and medical affairs and their strategic priorities.

Takeaways

1. Independent Medical Education is becoming more closely integrated with medical affairs, aligning with broader organizational goals and cross-functional partnerships.

2. Medical affairs teams use the four-stage "scientific journey" framework to plan their engagement strategies and meet clinicians where they are in their understanding and adoption of new evidence. The stages include Awareness, Agreement, Adoption, and Advocacy.

3. CME can support the scientific journey while maintaining independence by conducting root cause analyses of practice and care gaps, employing data-driven strategies, and adapting educational materials based on real-time feedback and learner outcomes. By doing so, CME is well-positioned to serve as a strategic partner to IME in driving meaningful educational outcomes.

Resources

Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS)

Industry reports from McKinsey and Deloitte discuss the evolving role of Medical Affairs

Moore's Outcomes Framework

Connect with Nancy Paynter, Strategic Adviser, Life Science Industry

nancympaynter@gmail.com

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:56 What medical affairs is and how it’s evolving

05:58 Understanding Independent Medical Education (IME)

10:48 Transformation in IME work within medical affairs

19:20 Pharma company thinking about the scientific journey and how accredited CME can support it

23:12 Use of Moore's framework in medical education

28:10 How CME can partner with medical affairs

30:48 Accredited CME professionals communicating touch points with IME counterparts

33:09 Nancy’s final thoughts

37:39 Key takeaways from episode 118

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Boring to Brilliant: Transform Your CME Content with Proven Storytelling Frameworks

Mon, 13 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you struggling to keep your clinical audience engaged and invested in your CME content?

In today's fast-paced, information-overloaded world, medical writers face the daunting challenge of capturing and maintaining their readers' attention. This episode explores how you can leverage proven storytelling techniques to create compelling, memorable CME content that resonates with your target audience.

Discover how to structure your content using powerful storytelling frameworks that build anticipation and drive home your key messages.
Learn how to hook your reader with compelling openers, incorporate patient and clinician voices, and make the "so what" crystal clear.
Gain insights into adapting storytelling structures to your CME content.

Tune in and unlock the secrets to becoming a master CME storyteller, ready to captivate and inspire your clinical audience like never before!

Resources

StoryBrand

Think Faster Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:55 Crafting compelling CME content: Exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution

05:36 Storybrand

08:30 Other storytelling frameworks

12:09 My challenge for you

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast for more valuable insights on continuing medical education content for health professionals. Click the Follow button and subscribe on your favorite platform.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Future of MedEd: Chatbots, AI, and Personalized Learning

Wed, 08 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence and chatbots are revolutionizing continuing medical education (CME) and transforming the way clinicians learn?

As a CME professional, you constantly seek innovative ways to create engaging and effective educational experiences for your clinician audience. Staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements, such as AI and chatbots, is crucial to address the specific knowledge gaps and practice needs of busy healthcare providers.

This episode will provide valuable insights on using these cutting-edge tools to enhance your CME programs.

1. Discover how AI-powered chatbots can provide clinicians with personalized, real-time answers to their clinical questions, while seamlessly integrating with validated educational content.

2. Learn how to use data from chatbot interactions to identify knowledge gaps, trending topics, and urgent educational needs, enabling you to create more targeted and impactful CME programs.

3. Gain a deeper understanding of the future of AI in CME, including the potential of machine learning to predict learner gaps and deliver need-specific education, as well as the challenges and opportunities of using generative AI to create customized content.

Tune in to hear Alana Brody MBA, CHCP, Executive Director, Vice President of Strategic Educational Design, and David Setiadi, Chief Technology Officer at Projects in Knowledge Powered by Kaplan, share their expertise on how AI and chatbots can help you create cutting-edge, engaging, and effective CME experiences for your clinician audience!

Takeaways

1. It’s possible to use AI-powered chatbots in your CME programs to provide clinicians with a quick and reliable way to get their clinical questions answered at the point of care. Over time, you can build and maintain a cycle of trust with clinicians, ensuring they can rely on the technology for efficient and effective patient care.

2. You can use data from chatbot interactions to gain valuable insights into your learners' knowledge gaps, educational needs, and trending topics.

3. Pay attention to copyright compliance and privacy. To safeguard the rights of original publishers, you’ll need to verify that the information provided through chatbots is copyright compliant and establish protocols to ensure that all learner data is deidentified to ensure privacy.

Connect with Alana

alana.brody@kaplan.edu

Website

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction

01:54 Exploring what chatbots are and how they have entered the CME space

02:47 How chatbots compare with other point-of-care tools

04:30 Lifting the hood into the processes they use to send the learner in the right direction

06:01 The continuous process of updating all the content

06:39 How they’re using the data gathered

09:40 User engagement and interaction with chatbots

12:23 The ecosystem: how they pull learners in, analyzing qualitative data and privacy

16:36 How learners find the chatbot

20:06 How they handle volumes of qualitative data

23:08 The future of the chatbot: Traditional AI vs Generative AI

29:11 Final thoughts: Leveraging AI for personalized learning in CME

32:20 Key takeaways from episode 116

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

First Friday: From Pharma to Freelance Medical Writing in the Digital Age

Fri, 03 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Virginia Chachati is a pharmacist turned medical writer who embarked on her freelance journey after moving to Germany in 2020. Inspired by the need to work remotely and make a living online, Virginia started a travel health blog that caught a client's attention on Upwork. Despite being underpaid for her valuable work, this experience motivated her to create a community of medical writers focused on fair compensation and support. Virginia established a presence on LinkedIn, where a medical communications agency found and recruited her. Now a full-time freelancer, Virginia enjoys the flexibility of working from home while being able to travel back to the UK for work and family visits.

Join us as Virginia shares her insights on building a thriving medical writing career.

1. Learn how to identify and attract high-quality clients who value your skills and expertise

2. Discover the power of community in setting fair rates and supporting your professional growth

Connect with Virginia

Resources

Free 61 tips Ebook for medical writers

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:10 Virginia’s journey into medical writing

04:02 Her experience with Upwork

06:31 Being picky about clients

08:29 Importance of writers knowing their worth and setting ground rules

12:56 The power of community in medical writing and solving the problem of Upwork

17:52 Setting fair value in medical writing

21:56 The future of medical writing: AI and social media

26:15 Takeaways from today’s conversation with Virginia

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Telling a Stronger Story: The Art of Communicating CME Outcomes

Wed, 01 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you measuring CME outcomes effectively or just tacking them on at the end?

If you're involved in developing, measuring and reporting on CME outcomes, you know it's become an expected part of the process. But many CME providers still struggle with integrating outcomes throughout program design and implementation. This leads to poor practices like tacking on outcomes at the end, writing vague questions, and creating reports that fail to tell a compelling story. To truly demonstrate the value and impact of your education, outcomes measurement needs to be woven in from the very beginning.

In episode 113 of Write Medicine Wendy Cerenzia and Emily Belcher of CE Outcomes share their hard-won insights on outcomes measurements. Tune in to:

1. Learn why and how to integrate outcomes planning into the earliest stages of educational design

2. Discover tips for writing effective outcomes questions that align with learning objectives and avoid common pitfalls

3. Understand what makes a compelling outcomes report that ties the story together for stakeholders

Ready to uplevel your outcomes game?

Takeaways

1. Outcomes measurement must be integrated from the beginning of educational planning and design, not tacked on at the end. Take action today by reviewing your process for integrating outcomes measurement into educational design. This will help you identify opportunities to involve outcomes experts earlier.

2. Effective outcomes questions align with learning objectives, avoid vagueness and confusing options, and consider the target audience, education format, and intended data use. Work with your faculty to carefully craft outcomes questions that align with objectives and will yield meaningful data. And consider pilot testing questions.

3. A compelling outcomes report ties the story together by connecting program goals, educational design, key findings, and important learnings. When you are writing your next outcomes report, challenge yourself to weave a coherent narrative that demonstrates the "why" behind the education and interprets the data to extract relevant insights. Focus on clearly communicating the impact and value.

Connect with Wendy and Emily

CE Outcomes

wendy.cerenzia@ceoutcomes.com

Emily Belcher, Director of Research and Analytics: emily.belcher@ceoutcomes.com

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction

1:05 Measuring Continuing Medical Education Outcomes

2:46 Current State of Outcomes in CME and CPD

5:58 Poor Practices in Measuring Outcomes

10:13 Root Cause of Not Starting with the End in Mind

10:26 Outcomes Standardization Project

18:07 Importance of Internal Consistency in Definitions

19:19 Effectiveness of Outcomes Measurement Frameworks

22:21 Expectations from Supporters in Outcomes Reporting

26:45 Cautious Approach to Using AI in Outcomes Analysis

31:36 Elements of a Good Outcome Story

34:45 Future Directions in Outcomes Analysis and Reporting

38:24 Three Takeaways and Action Steps from Episode 113

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Elevate Your Medical Writing: How to Choose the Right Literature Review Approach for Your Project

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you struggling to find the most relevant papers for your medical writing projects on PubMed?

You know the importance of having a solid research foundation when working on medical writing projects like clinical practice guidelines, grant proposals, or CME materials. But searching databases like PubMed can feel like falling down a rabbit hole, leaving you frustrated and unsure if you've found the most pertinent literature. This episode of Monday Mentor will help you understand what literature reviews are and how to choose the right type of review for your project, setting you up for more efficient and effective database searches.

Listen to this episode to discover:

1. The essential purposes and elements of a well-crafted literature review

2. How literature reviews inform a wide range of medical writing projects

3. The different types of literature reviews and when to use each one

Tune in now to learn how to master the art of the literature review and take your medical writing to the next level!

Takeaways

Here are three key takeaways from this episode of Monday Mentor:

1. Literature reviews are essential for providing context, identifying gaps, and synthesizing evidence to support various medical writing projects, from clinical practice guidelines to grant proposals and CME materials.

2. Different types of literature reviews serve different purposes and follow distinct methodologies, such as narrative reviews for broad, critical analysis; systematic reviews for answering focused questions; scoping reviews for mapping research activity; and realist reviews for understanding complex interventions.

3. Selecting the appropriate type of literature review based on your research objectives is crucial for conducting an efficient and effective review that informs evidence-based decision-making in your medical writing projects.

Resources

Literature Review Typologies

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to searching relevant literature

01:03 What literature reviews are and the different types

02:04 Why do a literature review at all

03:18 What type of medical writing projects do literature reviews serve

06:48 Common types of literature reviews

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Art of Short-Form CME: Tweetorials and Social-Media-Based Content

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

If you are an education provider, are you curious about how to use social media platforms like X/formerly Twitter to deliver engaging and accredited CME content? If you're a writer, do you want to know more about how to create social-media-based short-form content?

As a medical educator or content creator, you may be looking for innovative ways to reach healthcare professionals where they already spend time - on social media. Episode 111 jumps into the world of "tweetorials" and explores how you can adapt your educational content for platforms like X/Twitter while maintaining the quality and accreditation standards of traditional CME.

Julie Merten PharmD is my guest, a clinical pharmacist at the forefront of medical writing and CME content development at Chimeric Medical Communications. In today's episode, she shares her strategy for distilling complex medical topics into bite-sized educational content. We'll explore how to take a full clinical data paper, sharpen the key messages, and deliver them in a way that not only educates but engages and fosters interaction. What is the role of imagery, ethical considerations, and the importance of tapping into the right medical niches?

Join us to learn more about crafting compelling short-form CME and take your content to the next level on social media!

Takeaways

1. When creating short-form content for social-media-based CME, keep the scope narrow and focused. If a topic is too complex, consider breaking it up into multiple threads or supplementing with other formats like expert videos.

2. Invest time in creating high-quality, engaging visuals that are optimized for mobile viewing. Infographic-style images and square aspect ratios work well for tweetorials.

3. Emojis, design elements, and questioning techniques are practical tools to hook an audience and convey information quickly. If you adopt these stylistic elements, be aware of cultural interpretations and maintain factual accuracy and appropriateness for mobile consumption.

Connect with Julie

Email: merten.julianna@chimericmed.com

Chimeric Medical Communications, LLC

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:29 Introducing Julie

04:02 What a Tweetorial is and how it works

05:27 How long threads have been around

06:53 Crafting a Tweetorial tutorial

08:11 Assessing learner engagement on Tweetorials - how people respond and sign up for them

10:56 Creating private communities on X

11:57 Looking at the interaction of learners in a Tweetorial

13:01 Some of the challenges when creating this short-form content

14:33 Teaching and learning considerations with short-form content

15:45 All about emojis

18:01 Moving from long-form to short-form content

19:55 Figuring out what the key messages are

21:10 The scope for patient cases and tutorials

21:40 Ethical concerns

23:16 Considerations on how Tweetorials are assessed

24:01 Evaluating outcome metrics for Tweetorials

25:42 Finding CME on X as a learner

27:08 Key skills to develop for creating effective accredited education content for social media

31:40 Final thoughts on trying short-form content

32:37 Where to connect with Julie

33:21 Tips for creating short-form content for social media-based CME

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Bridging Gaps and Crafting Learning Objectives: High-Impact Skills for CME Writers

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you crafting compelling stories of transformation in your CME needs assessments?

As a CME writer, your ability to identify clinical practice gaps and translate them into actionable learning objectives is crucial for creating needs assessments that lead to impactful education. Episode 110 equips you a framework for developing practice and performance gaps and learning objectives for robust needs assessments that justify the need for education.

Tune in to:

Understand what clinical practice and performance gaps are and how to substantiate them through thorough research
Learn a framework for conducting a comprehensive gap analysis to pinpoint the root causes of practice shortfalls
Discover the key components of well-crafted learning objectives and how to align them with desired outcomes

Let's jump in.

Takeaways

1. Use the question-based framework I shared in the episode to conduct a thorough gap analysis, considering the what, why, who, when, where, and how of the identified practice gap. You'll also find a template for gap analysis in the show notes.

2. Ensure your learning objectives are actionable, measurable, relevant, and aligned with the desired outcome level (e.g., knowledge, competence, performance, patient outcomes).

3. Push yourself to create learning objectives that go beyond knowledge gains and foster practical skill application to drive meaningful practice change.

Resources

Gap Analysis Framework

ACS Tips for Writing Learning Objectives

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Identifying clinical practice and performance gaps

07:34 Crafting effective learning objectives

08:03 4 rules of thumb when creating learning objectives

09:37 TLDR on learning objectives

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Crafting Accessible and Inclusive Medical Content

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you unknowingly excluding audiences with your medical writing and CME content?

As a CME professional, ensuring that your content reaches and resonates with diverse audiences is crucial. In a field that shapes the clinical practice and well-being of so many, accuracy and accessibility are non-negotiable.

Virginia Chachati, a pharmacist turned medical writer, joins me to explore strategies and best practices for crafting inclusive, accessible content that empowers readers and improves health outcomes.

In EP 109, you’ll:

1. Learn how to optimize your content for people with varying levels of health literacy and digital skills

2. Discover tools and resources to help you create content that meets accessibility standards

3. Understand the impact of inclusive writing on audience engagement and health equity

Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your inclusive content creation skills.

Takeaways

3 Steps you can take toward accessibility and inclusivity.

1. Familiarize yourself with health literacy principles and accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Patient Information Forum's PIF TICK standard.

2. Audit your existing content for accessibility and inclusivity, identifying areas for improvement and implementing best practices.

3. Continuously educate yourself on inclusive writing strategies by following thought leaders, attending workshops, and engaging with resources shared in the episode's show notes.

Resources

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Patient Information Forum TICK standard

How to Write Clearly by Tom Albrighton

Writing Tools: 55 essential strategies for every writer by Roy Clark

Health literacy as a social determinant of health

National Institutes of Health: What is health literacy?

CME/CE Content Creator's Toolkit

The Utility of Social Media in CME

The Checklist Revolution: Streamlining Healthcare Content for Better Understanding

Cultivating a Visual Mindset: Infographics in Continuing Healthcare Education

Connect with Virginia

Website

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:22 Virginia’s approach to making medical writing accessible and inclusive

08:59 Resources to support accessibility work

13:06 Takeaways from today’s conversation on accessibility and inclusive content creation

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Navigating New Horizons: Understanding European Accreditation in CME

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

What challenges and opportunities await US-based CME providers looking to expand into Europe?

As a CME provider, understanding Europe's accreditation landscape and cultural nuances is crucial for successfully delivering education to international audiences. In today’s episode of Write Medicine, Susan Yarbrough joins me in dissecting the complexities of CME in Europe and guiding us through the accreditation mosaic. We’ll explore key considerations and strategies for navigating European CME, including the need for a strong dose of cultural humility.

In episode 107, you’ll:

1. Gain insights into the differences between US and European CME accreditation systems

2. Learn practical advice for partnering with local organizations to deliver relevant education

3. Discover the importance of cultural humility and adaptability when expanding CME offerings internationally

Tune in now to equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to expand your CME programs confidently into Europe and beyond!

Takeaways

While European CME accreditation differs significantly from the US, focusing on approving activities rather than providers, the accreditation landscape in Europe is evolving, with a slow but steady movement towards alignment and reciprocity.
Reciprocal agreements allow for the exchange of CME credits, but disparities in accepting and using CPD credits across jurisdictions remain a concern. As a US-based CME provider, if you want to expand your offerings to Europe and beyond, as a first step, research the accreditation requirements and cultural nuances of your target European countries or regions.
Education providers who want to successfully deliver CME in Europe must cultivate cultural humility as a key ingredient. As a US-based provider, you’ll need to understand local guidelines, perform a gap analysis and needs assessment, and have a local footprint to effectively deliver education that is appropriately accredited and tailored to the European audience.

Connect with Susan

Email: CENerd4Hire@gmail.com

Instagram

Abbreviations

EACCME: European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (

ECMEC®: The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement to mutually recognize continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Physicians (MDs, DOs, or equivalent international degree holders) may apply to the AMA to have their EACCME European CME Credits (ECMEC®s) converted to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Resources

Ghidinellli M, Pozniak E, Kolanko C, Wilson S. The ongoing challenges faced by providers of CME-CPD in Europe. J CME. 2023;12(1)

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:44 Introducing Susan

03:50 Some of the key challenges she sees in accreditation domestically

05:26 Updated guidelines for virtual credit in EACME 3.0

10:03 Differences and similarities between European and US accreditation

12:30 Impact of territoriality on CME content

15:51 Uniformity or standardization for reciprocal agreements in CME accreditation

17:13 Independence in Europe versus the US

21:48 Why the ABPI is attached to having control over content

24:26 How US education providers go about addressing specific needs and gaps in Europe

28:35 What tactical changes may look like to be an effective educator

31:03 Winners and losers in European accreditation

33:34 The extent of international and global CME and how is that going to change

36:03 Susan’s practical advice for CME providers

37:50 Key takeaways from today’s episode

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

How to Thrive in the Evolving Field of Medical Writing

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you a medical writer struggling to stay competitive and confident in the rapidly evolving industry landscape?

Experienced medical writer and educator Michelle Guillemard shares her insights today on how aspiring and established medical writers can navigate the challenges of an increasingly crowded field, economic fluctuations, and the rise of AI writing tools. Whether you're looking to break into medical writing, specialize in a niche, or future-proof your skills, Michelle's advice will help you chart a path to success and fulfillment in your writing career.

Listen to this episode to discover:

Strategies for differentiating yourself and targeting your ideal clients in a competitive market
Tips for staying up-to-date with industry trends, health communication best practices, and emerging technologies
Insights on building confidence, resilience, and a well-rounded lifestyle as a freelance medical writer

Tune in now to learn how you can thrive as a medical writer in 2023 and beyond and gain the knowledge and inspiration you need to take your career to the next level.

Takeaways

1. Identify your niche: Reflect on your unique skills, interests, and background to determine your specialization in medical writing. Develop a targeted marketing message and online presence that communicates your expertise to potential clients.

2. Curate your learning: Set aside dedicated time to stay informed about the latest trends, best practices, and technologies in medical writing. Focus on resources that align with your niche and goals, such as industry blogs, newsletters, webinars, and journals.

3. Embrace AI as a tool: Familiarize yourself with AI writing tools and explore ways to incorporate them into your writing process. Experiment with using AI to generate outlines, edit sentences, or streamline your brainstorming while maintaining your commitment to quality, evidence-based content.

Connect with Michelle

Health Writer Hub

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

02:47 Introducing Michelle

05:11 Her medical writing journey

09:45 Exploring the changes: Insights on who’s moving into the field, their motivations, and what that means for training and professional development

15:47 Specialization as a benefit in developing business

19:15 Crucial strategies for writers to help them stay resilient during times of economic fluctuation

23:29 Resources to help keep pace with industry trends

27:24 Designing effective medical writing courses

33:25 Is AI a threat or an opportunity in medical writing?

40:02 Key takeaways from Michelle’s episode

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Designing for Outcomes: Putting the Learner at the Heart of Your Educational Strategy

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0700

Are you measuring educational outcomes but failing to capture the true impact on your learners? As a CME/CPD professional, you know that proving the effectiveness of your educational programs is crucial. But in the rush to gather data and report metrics, it's easy to overlook the individual learner's experience and perspective. Relying solely on quantitative measurements can cause you to miss valuable insights that could help enhance your activities and programs.

In this episode, physician and longtime medical educator Dr. Dean Jenkins shares:

1. Why it's essential to focus on the learner's needs and desired outcomes when designing education

2. The importance of qualitative data in capturing the complexity of healthcare and the learner's voice

3. How defining your target outcomes upfront can improve your learning design and measurement approach

Tune in to discover how putting the learner at the center of your outcomes strategy can help you deliver more impactful and meaningful education!

Takeaways

CME must evolve to meet learners' complex and personalized needs, incorporating a more dynamic, qualitative approach to assess learning outcomes.
The CME field has been steadily shifting toward valuing outcomes beyond attendance and satisfaction for over a decade. However, analyzing the collected data and using it to improve the learning experience further remains challenging. Standardization of outcomes measurement is vital for the professionalization of CME/CPD.
Sharing insights and validated findings within the CME/CPD community is beneficial and necessary to foster improvement in education and patient care. Engaging with the broader community of educators, learners, and health professionals through discussion forums, journals, or social media networks is valuable. Share your findings, experiences, and strategies for measuring and improving educational outcomes, as Dean Jenkins does through his work with Outcomes Engine.

Connect with Dean

dean@agnate.co.uk

Outcomes Engine

Time Stamps

(02:41) - Introducing Dean

(07:28) - How to package education for learners in ways to address learners' needs and learning styles

(09:22) - Some of the strategies that he uses to determine what those needs are

(13:59) - What Dean is talking about when talking about Pharma-led education

(18:24) - Evolution of measuring and evaluation: assessing learning effectiveness across these different contexts

(20:50) - His involvement in the Outcomes Standardization Project

(21:56) - How Dean sees the field moving forward in terms of outcomes measurement, evaluation, and analysis

(25:12) - His thoughts on whether we are headed toward internal capacity building within the field.

(27:58) - The degree of collaboration between medical affairs teams and colleagues in independent medical education in Europe and the UK

(29:40) - What is Outcomes Engine, and why it’s important

(31:50) - Capturing the learner's voice

(33:26) - How Outcomes Engine will capture the learner’s voice

(35:10) - Dean’s final thoughts

(36:37) - Key takeaways

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Art of Storytelling: Engaging Clinical Audiences

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:14:00 -0700

If you are a medical writer my guess is that you occasionally struggle to engage your target audience. Health professionals have less time and shorter attention spans, making it critical for medical writers to master storytelling techniques that get their audiences interested and engaged with content, whether we’re talking about slide decks, manuscripts, or omni-channel content.

My guest in episode 102 is Eleanor Steele, also known as MedComms Mentor, who shares how she transitioned from agency work to running a successful freelance business in medical communications. Join us to learn more about the gaps Eleanor identified in the market for specialized training and development and get practical advice from Eleanor about:

Storytelling frameworks that support a logical flow of information and answer audience questions
How to frame content around audience needs and interests
The skills you need to write "bite-sized" short-form content optimized for different formats

This conversation with Eleanor is part of our first Friday series, which profiles medical writers and how they have broken into the field. It's also the last episode of season 7.

Resources

Content Alchemy. Tip Sheet for Medical Writers

Connect with Eleanor

Email: eleanor.steele@medcommsmentor.com

Website

YouTube

Time Stamps

(03:47) - Eleanor’s journey and transition into Medical Communications
(06:02) - Some of the gaps she’s seeing in the training and professional development market for medical writers
(07:39) - What Eleanor does and who she does it for
(11:57) - What she encourages writers to do to learn a little bit more about the audience they’re writing for
(16:31) - Navigating the challenges for writers with limited clinical exposure
(20:03) - Storytelling frameworks
(22:44) - The main challenges Eleanor sees in ongoing training and professional development
(25:53) - Her YouTube Channel: MedComms Mentor
(31:07) - Key challenges she sees for freelance medical writers
(33:37) - The future of MedComms
(36:15) - A shift towards not only engagement but outcomes in the omni-channel assets
(38:47) - Where to connect with Eleanor

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Femtech and Inclusive CME/CPD: A Conversation with Caitlyn Tivy DPT

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Have you ever wondered how biases in medical research and education can significantly impact women's health and health in the LGBTQ+ community? Do you want to learn how you as a CME/CPD professional can promote inclusive and equitable language in your work, and why this is important in CME content creation?

My guest today is Caitlyn Tivy DPT, a physical therapist, medical writer, and femtech pioneer. In today's episode, episode 101, we explore concrete ways CME/CPD professionals can help propel a shift toward more inclusive and equitable education and, ultimately, patient care. Caitlyn shares where harm has been done to women and LGBTQ+ patients through exclusion and bias in everything from clinical trials to medical curricula and terminology. We explore the real-world consequences of these biases, such as the underdiagnosis of heart attacks in women and the mismanagement of endometriosis.

This episode is a call to action for us as CME/CPD professionals to embrace inclusivity and equity in our work.

Takeaways

1. Inclusive language matters in CME/CPD, and why it's crucial for education activities and content to challenge biases and gaps in healthcare and medicine.

2. Femtech extends beyond reproduction and includes technology and services for various health conditions.

3. CME/CPD professionals can influence an education shift toward women's health and address care for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Action Steps

1. Educate yourself on how to use inclusive language in CME/CPD. Consider enrolling in an AMWA course or reading resources like "Sex Matters" and "Invisible Women."

2. Engage in conversations with supervisors or peers to advocate for inclusive language and gender-inclusive care in CME and to identify the under-representation of women's health, LGBTQ+ health, and marginalized groups in CME.

3. Explore opportunities to include information about gender and sex-inclusive care in CME/CPD and contribute to creating a more comprehensive and inclusive healthcare education landscape.

Resources

Grab your copy of the CME/CE Content Creator's Inclusion Toolkit

Clayton JA, Tannenbaum C. Reporting sex, gender, or both in clinical research? JAMA. 316(18):1863-1864.

McGregor AJ. Sex Matters: How male-centric medicine endangers women's health and what we can do about it. Hachette Go, 2020.

Perez CC. Invisible Women: Data bias in a world designed for men. Abrams Press, 2019.

Redwood Ink. Inclusive Language Course

Every R, Napolitan C, Wilson T. Improving Patient Care for the LGBTQ+ Community Through Continuing Education. Alliance Almanac. Feb 20, 2024.

Time Stamps

(02:55) - Addressing biases in clinical practice and education
(09:54) - The role that continuing education plays in starting to shift this narrative away from women's health
(16:27) - Caitlyn’s perspective on funding driving content
(20:44) - Resources she recommends to writers to help them get up to speed on inclusive and equitable language
(24:27) - Approaching research with a specific patient population in mind
(28:09) - What Femtech is and why it’s important
(29:34) - Caitlyn’s hope for providers who work in healthcare
(32:05) - Femtech: growing field beyond women's health issues
(34:01) - Caitlyn’s final thoughts
(37:23) - Putting today's insights into action

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

100 Ultimate Tips from 100 Episodes of Write Medicine

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0700

We’ve reached a major milestone here at the Write Medicine podcast – episode 100.

When I started this podcast, my mission was to foster a spirit of community, connection, and support among peers and colleagues in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This mission has evolved and is increasingly focused on providing you. Write Medicine friend, with practical strategies and tools to advance your career and support your work as a CME/CPD professional, whether you are a planner, strategist, analyst, reviewer, or writer.

So to celebrate making it to episode 100, I've compiled 100 tips covered by our conversations on the podcast. Consider today's episode the cheatsheet you need to:

- Optimize CME programming, evaluation, and modalities

- Craft high-quality content

- Master efficient research strategies

- Grow as a CME/CPD professional

Take what serves you in your journey from this curated list across 10 key categories that this podcast explores.

Time Stamps

(01:26) Writing and content creation tips

(02:37) Research and evidence tips

(04:04) Career development tips

(05:32) Communication and collaboration tips

(06:52) Industry insight tips

(08:18) Personal growth and productivity tips

(09:43) Ethics and professionalism tips

(11:00) Professional development tips

(12:30) Navigating challenges tips

(13:41) Technology tips

(15:20) Next up on Write Medicine

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Ben Lewin on the Imperfections of Science

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of scientific breakthroughs? Is the future of science at risk in the digital age? Like many fields, science is undergoing rapid changes in the digital era that could compromise integrity and innovation. As consumers of scientific knowledge, we all have a vested interest in an effective system. Join us in episode 99 as we explore the evolving world of science in the digital age, with insights from biochemist and former Cell editor, Ben Lewin.

In this episode, you'll:

Gain insight into flaws in the scientific publishing process involving peer review, preprints, and the "publish or perish" paradigm.
Understand concerns over reproducibility, questionable research practices, and the influence of money in shaping projects.
Learn how technology and A.I. are transforming science into a data-driven numbers game obsessed with quantity over quality.

Don't miss this illuminating discussion on the complex forces that could undermine science in the 21st century.

Transcript

Takeaways

1. Science is not a linear, seamless process. Despite the perception of scientific progress as a smooth and consistent journey, it is often messy and characterized by zigzagging developments. The public needs to understand the principles and limitations of the scientific process to demystify the black box image of science.

2. There are emerging concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence, the shift towards "big science," and the potential lack of revolutionary ideas in scientific research due to the pressure to publish safer and more reliable work. Scientists are also at risk of becoming data-generating technicians rather than pursuing innovative questions and answers.

3. Criticisms have been raised regarding the hierarchy of scientific journals, the peer review system, and the prevalence of predatory journals. Despite its flaws, the current system of scientific publishing is considered the best available option for disseminating scientific knowledge.

Resources

Lewin B. Inside Science: Revolution in Biology and its Impact. Long Island, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2023.

Time Stamps

(02:47) - Introducing Ben
(06:33) - What we should be understanding about science
(08:20) - Inside Ben’s book, Inside Science: Revolution in Biology and Its Impact
(10:04) - The art of presenting scientific work
(12:15) - The pressure to publish in science
(14:23) - His thoughts on how science should proceed in the future with publishing
(17:51) - Ben’s view on peer review
(19:48) - His take on the peer review process
(22:30) - His thoughts on the preprint problems during the pandemic
(24:16) - The path for young scientists to get published in appropriate journals
(26:26) - The key changes in scientific conduct that Ben’s been able to trace
(29:37) - Concerns in modern science
(35:13) - Ben’s key takeaways from Inside Science
(37:09) - Highlights from today’s episode

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Spotting Plagiarism in CME Content: Tools and Strategies for Prevention

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Are you aware that plagiarism is not just about copying text word for word? Listen in to uncover the different forms of plagiarism and how to spot them. Plagiarism can have significant consequences in CME content development, affecting the credibility of education materials and the reputation of education providers. By understanding the different types of plagiarism and how to detect them, you can ensure the integrity and originality of your CME content.

Discover the various forms of plagiarism beyond direct word-for-word copying.
Learn practical techniques for detecting and avoiding plagiarism in your CME content development.
Understand the drivers of plagiarism and gain insights into CME content integrity.

Tune in to episode 98 to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to identify and prevent plagiarism in your CME content, and take steps to ensure the originality and quality of your work.

Resources

Das N, Panjabi M. Plagiarism: Why is it such a big issue for medical writers?Perspect Clin Res. 2011;2(2);67-71.

Harting D, Bowser A. Worst Practices for Writing CME Needs Assessments: Results From a Survey of Practitioners. AMWA Journal. 2019;34(2):51-55.

Radike M, Fielder Camm C. Plagiarism in medical publishing: each of us can do something about it. Eur Heart J case Rep. 2022;6(4):ytac137. See the AMA Style Guide graphic.

Retraction Watch

Sandford-Cooke J. Ten signs of possible plagiarism. The blog of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading

Weber-Wulff D. Plagiarism detectors are a crutch, and a problem. Nature. 2019;567;435.

World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). Recommendations on publication ethics policies for medical journals. WAME. Englewood.

Howson A. Should you go down the rabbit hole? Write Medicine, episode 48.

Time Stamps

(00:00) - Plagiarism takes different forms, including paraphrasing.

(03:06) - AMA 11th Manual of Style addresses plagiarism.

(04:45) - Plagiarism drivers.

(06:40) - How to detect plagiarism.

(08:51) - Tricks to avoid plagiarism.

(09:31) - Use original words - read, digest, rewrite. (Dast, N. et al. 2016)

(10:53) - Storytelling, retelling content.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Art of Evaluation: Data-Driven Frameworks for Positive Change in CME/CPD

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Are you curious about how the art of data collection and analysis can transform the impact of continuing education in the health professions? What if you could easily prove that learning activities drive tangible outcomes?

Today's guest is Dr. Alaina Szlachta, a Learning Architect who improves the results of personal and professional development programs through data enablement. She joins us to unravel the complexities of effective education activity and program evaluation.

In a world increasingly driven by data and evidence, understanding the outcomes and impact of educational programs is crucial, but learning professionals in many sectors often struggle to effectively evaluate education activity and program impact. And without proof of outcomes, it's difficult to demonstrate value and make data-driven decisions.

Alaina outlines the crucial checkboxes for successful evaluation and highlights the art and science of strategically aligning evaluation variables to forge a persuasive chain of evidence. We also tackle the sometimes daunting task of identifying behavioral change indicators and how to build "indicator muscle."

In this episode, you'll hear how to:

Develop a simple framework for aligning learning outcomes.
Identify indicators that reliably track performance improvement.
Leverage AI to efficiently create assessments tailored to your needs.

Tune in to hear how to build a rock-solid evaluation process in under an hour.

Takeaways

Effective evaluation in any field requires a balance of trustworthy evidence, improvement data, and operational insights, acting as a compass for success and growth. Create your impact hypothesis by lining up "dominoes"; start with the change you intend to make, then trace back through outcomes, outputs, and inputs. Visualize this sequence to clarify your strategy and prepare to measure each stage.
The distinction between outputs (the immediate, tangible products of a program) and outcomes (the longer-term changes resulting from those outputs) is essential in evaluating the true impact of any initiative.
Develop your "indicator muscle" by applying evaluation strategies to personal goals. Choose a goal, define indicators of success, and track them over time. This practice will build your skills in a lower-stakes environment and prepare you for larger, more complex projects.

Connect with Alaina

Email: alaina@bydesigndevelopmentsolutions.com

By Design Development Solutions

Time Stamps

(03:17) - Introducing Alaina
(05:26) - Connecting her professional threads to inform learning strategy, measurements, and evaluation
(11:50) - Evaluating outcomes and evaluation framework
(14:30) - Different evaluation models and robust strategies
(21:12) - Output vs. Outcomes
(22:38) - Importance of process evaluation
(28:59) - Recommendations for starting to build the indicator muscle
(31:04) - The challenges in thinking about and brainstorming behavioral indicators for change
(34:30) - Emerging trends in learning and development
(39:51) - Where to connect with Alaina
(40:51) - 3 takeaways from today’s episode

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

From Scrubs to Scripts: How Claire Bonneau Redefined Her Career

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0700

If you’re on LinkedIn, and you’re a nurse, a nurse who’s a health or medical writer, or a nurse who’s exploring how to become a writer, I think you’re going to love today’s First Friday episode.

From the scrubs to the keyboard, Claire Bonneau’s story of how she shifted out of a full-time nursing role into a thriving freelance medical content writer is nothing short of motivational. She graduated from nursing school in 2019 and leaped into freelance health writing during the pandemic and her journey is proof that it's never too late to follow your passions.

Join us to explore:

The challenges and triumphs of transitioning careers during uncertain times.
How the problem-solving and creative aspects of nursing can lead to success in writing.
The importance of community and learning from one's mistakes in the freelance world.

Listen to the full episode to hear how Claire is shaping her unique niche in the freelance health writing community. Oh, and she drops some serious gems about navigating platforms like Upwork and LinkedIn.

Connect with Claire

Website

Email: claire@clairebonneau.com

Newsletter

What steps can you take today?

Dedicate a moment each day to journal about your professional journey. Capture moments of learning, growth, and the emotions attached to your evolving career path.
Reach out and connect with one new person a week on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to start building your community, just as Claire did.
Experiment with a freelancing platform by creating a profile or submitting a project proposal to experience the process and discover potential opportunities for skill-building and networking.

Time Stamps

(02:59) - Introducing Claire: From nurse to now
(05:55) - Why she went into writing
(07:37) - How creativity has helped her build her business
(09:05) - The obstacles Claire faced and her approach to problem-solving
(10:27) - Some examples of roadblocks and embarrassing moments she experienced
(13:34) - Transformation from isolation to engagement on LinkedIn
(15:44) - Her experience building an email newsletter
(17:37) - The purpose of the newsletter and building community
(21:05) - Claire’s thoughts on Upwork and how it’s been effective for her
(25:00) - Will she always be on Upwork and what a transition strategy would look like
(27:56) - Where the negativity comes from towards Upwork
(29:51) - Her encounter with feeling tapped by the nursing label as she transitioned into a new field
(33:30) - Her 3 pieces of advice for transitioning from clinical care to writing freelance
(34:58) - Where to connect with Claire
(36:17) - Episode Takeaways

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Envisioning the Next Era of CME/CPD: A Workshop Preview

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0700

A decade ago, Curtis Olson PhD, then editor of the Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, made 20 predictions about the future of Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Professional Development. Those predictions included a shift from the individual to the team as the primary unit of learning, a greater focus on interprofessional learning, more frequent use of evaluation models that tell us not only what works, but also under what conditions and why, and less reliability on the psychology of learning and more emphasis on the sociology of behavior change.

Have you been wondering how those predictions are holding up today?

Joining us from the frontlines are two consummate CME/CPD professionals from Clinical Education Alliance—Sarah Nisly and Caroline Pardo. They’ll be sharing preliminary insights from research they’ve been doing on the relevance of these predictions today, emphasizing the need for diverse voices and perspectives in the field, and discussing how CME/CPD needs to be in sync with the "messiness" and complexity of contemporary healthcare.

Tune in to learn more about:

How past predictions about CME/CE are aligning with current trends and practices.
How technology is reshaping shaping healthcare and the future of CPD.
The importance for CME/CPD to adapt to different generations and changing priorities.
And how continuous research and collaboration with multiple stakeholders is essential to shape the future of CPD and ensure its relevance and impact.

Takeaways

We need a forward-thinking approach in CME/CPD to prepare us to adapt to the evolving needs of healthcare professionals.
There's an increasing emphasis on interprofessional education and the role of team-based healthcare. This approach recognizes the complexity of healthcare delivery and the need for collaborative learning strategies.
Needs assessments and grant proposals are a focus of several sessions at the 20204 Alliance conference in New Orleans in early February. Today’s episode reminds us that needs assessments in CME/CE absolutely must go beyond clinical data and try to grapple with the real drivers of clinical gaps, including system and process issues, and patient preferences.
Caroline and Sarah’s work offers an invitation to us all to think about how we can be agents of change, and help to shape the future of CME/CPD.

Time Stamps

(03:46) Introducing Caroline + Sarah
(05:23) Revisiting Curtis Olson's 20 predictions for the future
(08:35) Interesting themes that stuck out when exploring
(11:40) More about the juxtaposition and what it looks like in practice
(18:49) A tiny flavor of their research process
(22:29) The shifts and changes from the original predictions
(29:34) The messiness of healthcare and the need for evolution
(33:00) Frameworks for contemporary healthcare
(37:23) Their predictions for where the profession is heading
(42:38) The importance of comprehensive needs assessments

Resources

Olson C. Twenty predictions for the future of CPD: implications of the shift from the update model to improving clinical practice. J Cont Educ Health Prof. 2012;32(3):151-2

Pardo C, Nisly S. Unleashing Our Community's Power: Insights and Inspiration from the Field. Alliance Annual Conference. 2024. Feb 6, 10 a.m. Oak Alley.

Connect with Caroline + Sarah

Clinical Education Alliance

Caroline LinkedIn | Email: cpardo@cealliance.com

Sarah LinkedIn | Email: snisly@cealliance.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Transitioning to Truth: Embracing Authenticity in Career and Life

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0700

Have you ever felt trapped in your career, sensing a need for change but unsure where to begin? Have you felt a nudge to make a career change but fear holds you back?

Yep, I’ve been there.

Making a major shift in your work can be daunting, but ignoring calls for change won’t make them go away. In a world where career transitions are increasingly common yet daunting if you are feeling the pull towards change but held back by uncertainty and fear, or if you are aware of an immanent push, this episode, EP92, is for you. My guest is Regina Sih-Meynier PharmD, an intuitive business strategist and life coach, who’s worked in healthcare, medical affairs, and in independent medical education in high-profile pharmaceutical companies. Way back in 2020, Regina was on the podcast and talked about how to create education content that supports authentic empowerment and transformational learning.

Today she’s offering guidance and inspiration for anyone in CME/CPD considering or facing a major career change. She shares her transformative journey from feeling stifled in the pharmaceutical industry to discovering her true calling.

So get ready to:

Learn how to recognize the signs of transition that are pointing you to a needed change.
Use practical tools for making decisions and navigating career transitions, including a five-step framework, that will help you map your fears and flip limiting narratives that are holding you back from unlocking your potential—the theme of 2024’s annual conference of the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions.
Gain a framework for aligning decisions to your authentic self, not just ego fears.

Connect with Regina

Website

What steps can you take today?

Here are my takeaways and steps you can take to embrace authenticity in your career and life.

1. Embrace the Pause and Practice Reflection. Taking time to be still and reflect can provide clarity and insight, helping you recognize when and why you need a change in your professional life.

2. Your Body Intelligence is a Decision-Making Resource. Incorporating simple mindful, meditative, or breathing practices can lead to greater clarity and alignment with your authentic self.

3. Five-Step Approach to Decision Making. Regina detailed a five-step approach for making successful life and career decisions: getting clarity, identifying key players, addressing fears, amplifying your authentic voice, and taking aligned action. There are links in the show notes to tools for a structured approach to navigate career transitions mindfully.

Resources

Take the free 3-minute decision-style quiz to better understand how you make decisions and what your potential blindspots could be. www.oh-universe.com/quiz
Grab the free guide on How to Make the Best Career Decisions for You: www.oh-universe.com/resources
Make successful decisions with this easy to use tool: 5-Steps to Confident Decisions Using Body Intelligence: www.oh-universe.com/resources
Learn more about Regina's Go Slow to Go Faster Retreat in Vandelicourt, France in May 2023: www.oh-universe.com/retreat-details

Time Stamps

(03:05) - Signs that it's time for a career transition
(08:12) - Tools and practices to tune into your inner voice
(13:01) - Regina’s guidance if you are hearing that voice but are locked into fear
(19:04) - Practical tools to move from fear to safety
(21:52) - A universal struggle of overcoming fear and self-limiting thoughts
(24:10) - How her tools apply if you have been pushed out
(31:56) - Regina’s 5 steps to making successful career and life decisions
(38:03) - First step in a career change
(44:37) - Key takeaways you can take to embrace authenticity in your career and life

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Building a Global CME/CE Program

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Do you ever wonder about CME/CE in Africa? Or how you could use your content creation skills to improve health outcomes globally?

This episode explores how one CME/CE writer is using her expertise to directly improve patient care in Africa. Helen Fosam is a seasoned medical writer with two decades of experience shaping her career. Today we’re talking about the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research and the dearth of CME in resource-limited settings like Africa that led Helen to launch the MiLHO initiative, which stands for "The Missing Link to Improved Health Outcomes." This pioneering project is aimed at democratizing access to CME in Africa and harmonizing healthcare knowledge across the globe.

In today’s episode, you’ll discover how the MiLHO initiative is transforming healthcare education in Africa and how Helen extends the reach and effectiveness of education materials by working with local experts. This approach ensures that the education materials are culturally and linguistically relevant, accessible to the target population, and fosters sustainable healthcare practices.

Insight into the MiLHO initiative, a pioneering approach to improving health outcomes in Africa through tailored CME programs.
An understanding of the critical role of local content creators in developing relevant and effective medical education, highlighting the importance of diversity and cultural context.
Strategies for overcoming barriers in CME in Africa, including the significance of online platforms in making CME accessible to a wider audience, regardless of their location.

Tune in to hear firsthand how this global health education initiative got started and how it aims to bridge gaps in medical knowledge through context-specific content development and delivery.

Connect with Helen

hfosam@theedgemedicalwriting.com

The Edge Medical Writing

The MiHLO Initiative

What steps can you take today?

Explore Local Content Development: If you're involved in medical education, consider how localized content can improve your programs. Engage with local experts and communities to ensure that your CME activities are culturally and contextually relevant.
Implement DE&I Practices: If you are an education provider, you can advocate within your organization for more inclusion and equity-focused CME/training and actively work to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion in your CME content. This could involve diversifying your team of content creators or ensuring that your materials are inclusive and representative of different populations. For tips on how to build DEi into CME/CE content, check out EP 61 with Sapana Panday.
Offer Support: Regardless of your role in CME, you can support nonprofit organizations like MiLHO that are addressing care disparities worldwide by volunteering your expertise or donating to their mission.

Time Stamps

(04:03) - Introducing Helen
(05:33) - The MiLHO Initiative
(11:44) - Writing grants for funding the MiLHO Initiative
(15:41) - CME's Increased Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(22:41) - Steps you can take today after listening to this episode

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Digital Declutter: A Guide to Eco-Conscious CME Content Creation

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Are you overlooking a major yet often overlooked contributor to climate change through your digital content creation and strategies? Are you unintentionally contributing to the planet's digital carbon footprint?

As CME/CE content creators and strategists, we likely don't consider the climate impacts of our websites, documents, videos, and other digital materials. However, all that data requires substantial energy to power the creation, storage, and transfer of bytes, which generates carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

In this eye-opening episode, Alisa Bonsignore, a content strategy and sustainable content expert, reveals the surprising truth about the environmental impact of our digital world. Whether it's the websites we browse, the videos we stream, or the documents we store, our online habits are not as harmless as they seem.

For CME medical writers and content creators, understanding this connection is vital in making informed decisions that align with environmental sustainability.

In today’s episode, you’ll:

Gain insights into how digital content, including websites and emails, contributes to carbon emissions.
Learn practical strategies like streamlining and removing unnecessary pages to create more sustainable and climate-friendly content.
Understand how to balance visual impact with environmental responsibility when creating graphics, video and other visual media, and in doing so, you’ll enhance the effectiveness of your digital presence.
Appreciate the rationale for encouraging practices like video-off meetings and transitioning from video to audio or text formats.

Tune in to hear digital sustainability expert Alisa Bonsignore explain how education content creators like you can reduce their climate impacts through smarter governance of bytes and pixels.

Connect with Alisa

Visit Clarifying Complex Ideas for more on sustainable content strategies.

Resources

Read Alisa's article on calculating emissions from digital content.
Learn more about the Content Design Manifesto.
Check out Gerry McGovern's book Worldwide Waste on the impacts of devices.
Podcast recommendation: Health Literacy Out Loud

Time Stamps

(04:40) - Introducing Alisa
(07:36) - The connection between data, energy, and carbon emissions
(09:29) - How writers can think about the implications daily
(12:19) - Her entry point into user experience and how it’s important in the work that she does
(15:39) - Where to go for up-to-date information about how to think about data and digital imprint
(18:46) - How recommendations about reducing digital imprint work when working with clients
(21:30) - Her recommendations on messaging and communication for freelancers in the content creator economy
(28:21) - Some of the metrics to think about as we consider sustainability or digital sustainability
(30:06) - Places to go to find out more about the metrics and resources to raise with clients or employers
(31:48) - What the Content Design Manifesto is and involves
(35:37) - Alisa’s final thoughts for those who are noodling around the issue of digital imprint

Transcript

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

What's Write Medicine About?

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 22:59:00 -0700

Transform your CME/CE content with Write Medicine!

Struggling with how to create continuing medical education content for health professionals (CME/CE)?

Write Medicine is your definitive guide to mastering the craft of high-quality CME/CE content creation that lifts learning and changes behaviors.

Write Medicine is hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP, FACEhp, a seasoned writer and researcher with decades of experience in healthcare, education, and CME/CE. Tune in every Wednesday for our feature episodes and start your week right with Monday Mentor sessions, where we focus on practical techniques to enhance your content creation approach.

Tune in for Expert perspectives

Every Wednesday, Write Medicine explores the art, science, and nuances of crafting compelling CME/CE content through enriching conversations with experts in the CME/CE field and beyond. You'll gain valuable perspectives on adult learning, teaching platforms, effective learning formats, and emerging healthcare trends that shape our content.

Start your Week with Monday Mentor

In Monday Mentor, Alex shares her treasure trove of insights gained from creating, evaluating, and publishing outcomes results from scores of CME activities and programs.

CME/CE Home Base

Write Medicine is more than a podcast; it's a commitment to elevating your professional development in CME/CE content creation.

Whether you're planning, designing, writing, delivering, or evaluating CME/CE programs, Write Medicine is your home base for insights, guidance, and strategies to help you confidently navigate every stage of the CME/CE content creation journey.

More resources and support from Alex

🌐 Website

🔗 Blog

🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏽 Join WriteCME Pro: Professional development for medical writers

🗞️ Write Medicine Insider—biweekly newsletter

📍 WriteCME Roadmap

Subscribe to the Write Medicine podcast!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Are you on the MedComms Path? Fascinating Freelance versus In-House Insights

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Have you ever wondered how academics or researchers transition into a successful career in medical communications (or medcomms)? With academia becoming increasingly challenging, many PhDs, scientists, and researchers are considering new careers that allow them to apply their expertise.

Maybe you are too.

As part of our First Friday Features, episode 87 of Write Medicine brings you an exclusive conversation with Vicky Sherwood, a seasoned medical writer with a rich background in academia and medcomms.

In this episode, we explore Vicky's unique journey from academia into her thriving career as a medical communicator. Key takeaways include:

Practical steps for academics considering a career shift
Insider tips on networking your way into medical writing
The diverse projects you could work on in medcomms
How to navigate pharmaceutical compliance issues, and
Whether AI will take over this field.

Whether you're considering a move into medical writing or are just curious about the diverse opportunities in medical communications, this episode will resonate with your professional aspirations. Don't miss out on Vicky’s invaluable insights!

Press play now to start your journey and unlock the secrets to a fulfilling career in medical communications.

Timestamps:

(03:22) - Introducing Vicky
(04:18) - Her journey from academia into medcomms
(08:42) - Importance of networking in medicine for landing medcomm positions or freelance work
(13:13) - The differences between in-house and freelancing as a writer
(15:38) - Range of projects in medcomms
(19:09) - The challenges in medcomm such as compliance issues
(22:08) - Shifting into freelance medical writing and places to get support
(28:39) - Challenges of working on the promotional side
(30:59) - The main types of projects that Vicky works on, on the education side
(34:05) - Her final thoughts on what direction medcomms is taking in the future

Connect with Vicky

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Medical Writing in the Age of AI: Threat or Opportunity?

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) can augment medical writing? Or are you wondering how AI could change the way we approach continuing education for health professionals?

Listen in as Núria Negrão PhD shares tangible strategies for content creation.

As advances in AI lead to fears about human jobs being replaced, medical writers and CME/CE professionals are wondering how to adapt. Núria explains key opportunities to enhance your skills and stay ahead of the curve. We take a deeper look at the practical applications and limitations of generative AI in medical writing, offering you valuable insights to enhance your professional toolkit.

What you'll learn in this episode:

Identify specific AI tools to help with literature reviews, analyzing bias, ideation, translations, and more.
Approaches for integrating AI tools into medical writing, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
Appreciate the biggest risks of AI content creation and how to mitigate them.
How to effectively balance human expertise with AI capabilities to create high-quality, comprehensive medical content.
Strategies to navigate the challenges and ethical considerations of using AI in medical writing, enhancing your ability to produce content that's both innovative and trustworthy.
Get actionable ideas to experiment with AI as part of your medical writing process—and a downloadable worksheet to help you brainstorm your own processes.

Call to Action: Tune in to this future-focused conversation to explore how AI can make you a better, more effective medical writer right now.

Timestamps:

(03:31) - A listener question on triangulating results with Generative AI
(07:19) - The importance of knowing your process and having different stakeholders involved in the project
(12:12) - Acknowledging AI in collaborative work
(15:33) - Another listener question on teaching AI in medical school
(19:02) - Nuria’s final thoughts on stumping ChatGPT

Transcript

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Standing Still and Looking Forward: Season 6 Highlights and 2024 Teasers

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0700

Winter Solstice is a time of stillness that we can harness to reflect on our past year's journey. It's an opportunity to celebrate growth and anticipate what's coming next. So join me to reflect on memorable moments from the podcast this season and sneak a peek into the future of Write Medicine in 2024.

Season Highlights

The power of reflection to realign "why"
Innovations like AI for ideation and adult learning principles
How education can build gender equity in health professions
The potential and limitations of generative-AI
Insights from our listener survey
First Friday featuring medical writers
Grab your digital goodie bag!

Get a sneak peek into 2024

The launch of our revamped website
Write Medicine joins the Health Podcast Network
Shifting towards shorter, more practical episodes tailored to the specific needs of the CMECPD community.

As always, thank you for listening and engaging with the community! Excited to continue the journey with you all in 2024.

Timestamps:

(02:44) - Announcement of listener survey winners
(03:25) - Season 6 highlights: AI, gender equity, and live online education tips
(07:19) - Alex’s takeaways from using Generative AI in education
(11:34) - The evolution of Write Medicine
(13:40) - Podcast expansion plans for 2024
(15:46) - Preview of 2024: Exciting changes and inclusion in the Health Podcast Network

Resources

Episodes Mentioned

About Write Medicine

Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

🎙️ Know someone who would love this podcast? Share the podcast

☕ Want to say thanks? Buy me a Coffee

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Prompts, Personas, and Process: Practical Strategies for Using Generative AI in CME/CPD

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0700

Show Notes

What privacy concerns do you have related to generative AI tools like ChatGPT? Do you worry about the internet scraping that comes with gen-AI territory? Are you searching for practical advice on how to effectively use generative AI for creating continuing education content for health professionals?

These questions and more are the focus of today’s episode of Write Medicine. My guest is medical writer and generative AI expert Nuria Negrao and we’re talking about how AI models like ChatGPT are trained and why we should care about this as well as the ethical implications of AI scraping information from various sources. Nuria also shares practical advice on effectively using generative AI for needs assessments and other types of CME/CPD content by paying attention to prompts, personas, and process. And we have a question from listener Natalie Turner about good prompts to aid in the development of a needs assessment.

Time Stamps:

(02:36) - Núria’s thoughts on using Generative AI as a thought partner for reflecting the full richness of cultural, ethnic, and gendered text and communication

(03:51) - The Reddit lawsuit against ChatGPT over access to private conversations

(06:27) - Listener Question: What are some good prompts to aid the development of a needs assessment?

(11:57) - What generative AI can help with

(15:15) - Using the process as a starting point

Click Here for the Transcript

Resources

API = application programming interface

About Guest

Núria is a medical writer in the continuing education field. Núria brings her scientific training as well as her vast experience in teaching effective science and medical communication to every project, helping craft engaging and effective educational experiences that support, inspire, and motivate learners.

Connect with Núria

LinkedIn

Grab Your ChatGPT Cheatsheet

About Write Medicine

Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

📰 Want more tips and tools from Alex and podcast guests? Subscribe to the newsletter. Twice a month from me to you. Biweekly Newsletter

➡️ Grab your WriteCME Roadmap! Get access to this complimentary ebook, designed to help you break into CME, find clients, and hone your craft.

➡️ Ready for skills, scaffolding, and support? Join WriteCME Pro

🎙️ Know someone who would love this podcast? Share the podcast

☕ Want to say thanks? Buy me a Coffee

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Pawsitive Penmanship: How Veterinarians Can Thrive in the World of Medical Writing

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Show Notes

What existing skills and competencies do you know you have for sure? How can you put those skills to use to find new professional opportunities? Understanding and acknowledging your skills is crucial for building confidence and pursuing new professional opportunities. My guest today is JoAnna Pendergrass DVM, a veterinarian turned medical writer who has built a successful solo business creating content focused on pet health and educating pet parents. If you have participated in the freelance panel offered by the University of Chicago Professional Certificate Program in Medical Writing, you’ll recognize JoAnna. Today she shares the catalysts that triggered her transition from veterinary practice to medical writing, the challenges she faced in making this shift, and how she found solutions to those challenges.

If you are a vet thinking of medical writing as a side hustle or alternative career, you’re going to want to listen to this episode. It’s jam-packed with tips and resources to support your medical writing journey. We talk about the importance of doing the internal work to clarify what brings you joy and to identify your current skills and competencies, how to build your business in a way that works for your life, and the importance of finding other vets who have made the shift into medical writing—people who speak your language.

Time Stamps:

(03:39) - Introducing JoAnna

(07:40) - Her next steps and the challenges she navigated in shifting into medical writing

(12:22) - JoAnna’s perspective on the field itself as she moved from a postdoc context into medical writing

(14:02) - Her experience with agency work

(17:29) - How JoAnna faced challenges

(22:34) - How she found community with other veterinary medical writers

(24:18) The impact of finding a community who spoke her language

(24:50) The skills she brought from veterinary training to medical writing

(27:59) What has surprised her about medical writing

(31:50) JoAnna’s advice for vets thinking about shifting into medical writing

(37:52) Her final thoughts on building a successful and effective business that works for your life

Click Here for the Transcript

Resources

SCORE

About JoAnna

JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM, is a veterinarian and freelance medical writer. She has been a medical writer for over 10 years and started her freelance medical communication company, JPen Communications, in 2016. JoAnna is passionate about pet owner education. Through her writing, she seeks to fill in the gap between what the veterinarian says and what the pet parent understands.

Connect with JoAnna

LinkedIn

JPen Communications

About Write Medicine

Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

📰 Want more tips and tools from Alex and podcast guests? Subscribe to the newsletter. Twice a month from me to you. Biweekly Newsletter

📍 Grab your WriteCME Roadmap! Get access to this complimentary ebook, designed to help you break into CME, find clients, and hone your craft.

➡️ Ready for skills, scaffolding, and support? Join WriteCME Pro

🎙️ Know someone who would love this podcast? Share the podcast

☕ Want to say thanks? Buy me a Coffee

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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The AI Revolution: How Generative Models are Transforming CME/CPD Content Creation

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Show Notes

Are you angsting over the potential impact of generative AI on your work? Are you hyper-dialed into ethical considerations around the potential for copyright infringement, data ownership, and authorship when using generative AI tools like ChatGPT? Whatever your questions or concerns are about generative AI, this technology is poised to transform how we create continuing education content for health professionals.

Today’s episode is the first in a 2-part series of episodes that focus on writing, reasoning, and the ethical considerations surrounding generative AI. My guest is Núria Negrao PhD, a medical writer specializing in CME/CPD and a generative AI enthusiast who's been playing with ChatGPT since it burst onto the horizon in 2022.

We review different ways to use gen-AI tools like Bing and Bard for tasks like summarization and identifying key points, and touch on copyright issues, using OpenAI's API, and how to use gen-AI to create formulas that support scientific writing. And we also explore the value of bringing a human perspective and cultural knowledge into the writing and content creation process and the potential benefits and legal challenges of using AI tools, like ChatGPT.

Time Stamps:

(03:30) - Introducing Núria

(07:06) - The questions she was tinkering with and asking in the early phases of Generative AI

(10:10) - Her thoughts on navigating the GenAI landscape for beginners

(12:50) - Practical use cases of Generative AI implementation

(17:18) - Handling the client conversation around using GenAI

(22:50) - Listener Question: Around legal and ethical implications for submitting your own text for analysis by generative AI

(29:11) - Exploring the dangers of using Generative AI as our collaborators

Click Here for the Transcript

Resources

API = application programming interface

About Guest

Connect with Núria

LinkedIn

Grab Your Gen-AI Cheatsheet

About Write Medicine

Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

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Mentioned in this episode:

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The Power of Reinforcement in CME/CE: Understanding Knowledge Competence and Self-efficacy in Learning

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Show Notes

Are you running correlation analysis in your education activity and program evaluation? Are you having conversations with your colleagues, as listener Natalie Goldberg is, about how access to practice data is potentially redefining how we think about Moores outcomes at levels 5, 6, and 7?

In part 1 of this 2-part series of conversations with Katie Lucero Ph.D., Vice President, Audience, Analytics, Outcomes & Insights at Medscape we began to open up the black box that houses the relationship between self-efficacy, commitment to change, and intent to change.

In part 2, we focus on how access to health data is evolving and what this means for measuring outcomes, the power of reinforcement and what that looks like, and tips for enhancing outcomes measures and strategies for measuring the impact of education programs.

Time Stamps:

(02:26) - The relationship between self-efficacy and commitment to change

(05:37) - Unpacking the concept of commitment to change

(10:09) - Listener Question: Are the definitions of what constitutes Moore’s Levels changing or evolving

(12:28) - The research Katie has been doing with Don Moore

(16:26) - Her sense of how much correlation people are doing in this field

(18:23) - Practical steps to optimize available resources for enhanced outcome measurement in education programs

(22:02) - What she is seeing in the future that excites her in terms of outcomes

(23:55) - How to stay in touch with Katie and her work

Click Here for the Transcript

Resources

Lucero KS, Williams B, Moore DE Jr PhD. The Emerging Role of Reinforcement in the Clinician's Path from Continuing Education to Practice. J Cont Ed Health Prof. Nov 14, 2023.

Alliance Podcast. ‘Assessing Assessments.’ Jim Morgante, PhD

Assessing Assessments: Are your questions any good? Alliance Annual Conference, 2023. Jason Olivieri, MPH, Jim Morgante, PhD

About Katie

As Vice President at Medscape, Katie leads content marketing, analytics, outcomes & insights. Katie previously was PI and lead evaluator on federal grants and local contracts, directed QI-CME and health outcomes studies, and evaluated public health programs at the CDC. Katie was named 2020 Brian P. Russell CME Professional of the Year. She earned a PhD at Auburn University in Human Development.

Connect with Katie

email: klucero@webmd.net

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Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Self-Efficacy and Confidence in Behavior-Driven CME/CE Outcomes

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Show Notes

If you’re a continuing medical education provider, do you ever feel as though your approach to outcomes measures could use some spice? Do you wonder what are we missing when we don't include process measures in outcomes evaluation? Or when you are working on outcomes measurement, analysis, and crucially, writing that outcomes report, do you find yourself wondering how to use confidence as an indicator of behavior change, or where self-efficacy fits into the outcomes mix?

That’s our focus today with Katie Lucero PhD, Vice President, Audience, Analytics, Outcomes & Insights at Medscape. We’re also talking about frameworks for behavior change, user experience in learning, and the meaning of confidence and self-efficacy as education outcome measures.

Today’s episode is the first in a 2-part series of episodes that focus on outcomes evaluation that dig into questions like the significance of self-reported confidence, competence, intent or commitment to change, the value of using claims data and digital footprint to study practice change at scale, and asking open-ended questions for qualitative data.

Time Stamps:

(02:44) - Introducing Katie

(06:36) - Digging into process and outcomes evaluation in program evaluation

(08:03) - Exploring process measures in outcomes evaluation

(09:20) - What kind of checks and markers to be thinking about

(11:05) - Katie’s thoughts on success metrics with pre and post-test scores

(15:30) - Importance of user experience when thinking about outcomes

(19:07) - Self-efficacy important for behavior change

(23:03) - Considerations for measuring confidence

Click Here for the Transcript

Resources

Lucero KS, Williams B, Moore DE Jr PhD. The Emerging Role of Reinforcement in the Clinician's Path from Continuing Education to Practice. J Cont Ed Health Prof. Nov 14, 2023.

Alliance Podcast. ‘Assessing Assessments.’ Jim Morgante, PhD

Assessing Assessments: Are your questions any good? Alliance Annual Conference, 2023. Jason Olivieri, MPH, Jim Morgante, PhD

About Katie

Connect with Katie

email: klucero@webmd.net

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About Write Medicine

Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

📰 Want more tips and tools from Alex and podcast guests? Subscribe to the newsletter. Twice a month from me to you. Biweekly Newsletter

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➡️ Ready for skills, scaffolding, and support? Join WriteCME Pro

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

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From Inspiration to Innovation: Mary Lasker and the Birth of the American Cancer Society

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0700

If you work in CME, especially in oncology, then sooner or later you’re going to consult American Cancer Society resources. But how much do you know about the history of this organization? And how much do you know about Mary Lasker and her contributions to cancer research?

Hello, hello, and welcome back to Write Medicine, the podcast that explores best practices in creating continuing education content for health professionals. I'm your host, Alex Howson, and in today's episode, we explore a story that shaped the field of medicine and cancer research in particular. My guest is Judy Pearson, an author, cancer survivor, and catalyst for change who shares her extensive research on Mary Lasker, a woman whose name may not be widely known, but whose impact on cancer research and treatment is immeasurable.

We explore how Mary's partnership with her husband Albert played a pivotal role in transforming the American Society for the Control of Cancer into what is now known as the American Cancer Society. Mary believed in the power of research and was determined to use her life, her money, and her social connections to make a difference and was dedicated to education, civic-mindedness, and relentlessly pursuing change, even when it meant challenging the status quo.

So grab your pens and notebooks, as Judy Pearson takes us on a journey through the extraordinary life of Mary Lasker, a fascinating woman who shaped the world of medicine, right here on Write Medicine.

Time Stamps:

(3:25) - Introducing Judy

(6:58) - Exploring the life of Mary Lasker

(12:21) - Where Mary and Margaret Sanger’s crossed paths

(14:19) - The contributions of the Lasker's

(17:03) - Mary's belief in research

(27:34) - Judy’s writing and research process

(32:21) - When to stop going down the rabbit hole

(35:38) - Obstacles Mary faced and how she overcame them

Click Here for the Transcript

Resources

Judy Pearson. Crusade to Heal America: The Remarkable Life of Mary Lasker. 2023. [affiliate link]

Emma Donahue. The Pull of the Stars: A Novel. 2020 [affiliate link]

About Judy

Judy Pearson is a writer and cancer survivor who discovered her passion for writing at the age of twelve. Sitting in a tree in her parents' backyard, she began to express her preteen angst through words. Although she initially pursued a career as a French teacher, she later transitioned into advertising and marketing. Around 20 years ago, Judy started writing for publication, and her journey as a cancer survivor led her to explore the history of cancer treatment and health. Her latest book, Crusade to Heal America, focuses on the biography of the cancer survivorship movement, showcasing her dedication to raising awareness and understanding the heroines and heroes who have faced cancer. Writing has become Judy's favorite activity, allowing her to share her personal experiences and make a significant impact on others' lives. Her previous books include From Shadows to Life: A Biography of the Cancer Survivorship Movement (which won the 2022 Nautilus Gold Award), Wolves at the Door: The True Story of America’s Greatest Female Spy, and Belly of the Beast: A POW’s Story of Faith, Courage, and Survival Aboard a WWII Hell Ship.

About Write Medicine

Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

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Mentioned in this episode:

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The Art of Serendipity: Luck, Preparation, and Career Transitions for PhDs

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0700

If you are a Write Medicine listener and are tuning into our First Friday Feature, you are likely a medical writer who is curious about medical writing in the specialized world of CME and I think you'll enjoy this conversation with Dr. David Mendes, who shares insights from his journey transitioning out of academia and into a career in medical writing.

David completed his PhD in neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal. During his graduate studies, he realized that landing a professorship was unlikely, so he started exploring alternative careers. After finishing his PhD, he secured his first role as a medical writer at an agency and has since worked as a freelance medical writer and translator. In today's episode, David reflects on the skills he developed during his PhD that helped him move into medical writing.

Key Takeaways:

Only around 10-20% of PhDs end up in academic positions. So it's important for graduate students to explore alternative careers early in their graduate training.
Resilience, communication skills, project management, and data analysis are only some of the skills that PhDs and academics can use in medical writing and in CME. But you’ve got to do the work to figure out what those skills are.
And treat networking and informational interviews as a long game rather than expecting immediate jobs.

Time Stamps:

(4:21) - Introducing David

(09:55) - David’s transition from academia to teaching writing and how that informs the work that he does

(15:16) - The prevalence of failure discourse for academics transitioning in or out of a PhD program

(19:51) - What helped David find work that works for him outside an academic context

(24:31) - Evaluating skillset for a transition into medical writing

(31:00) - Key skills to help successfully transition from academia into something else

(40:50) - His actionable advice for PhD students considering alternative career paths

(47:33) - Where to connect with David

Click Here for the Transcript

About David

In 2019, David started a podcast called Beyond the Thesis, where he interviews PhDs about the fulfilling careers they have built outside of academia. Through these conversations, David aims to inspire current graduate students to start exploring non-academic career options much earlier in their studies.

Website and podcast Beyond the Thesis

LinkedIn

About Write Medicine

Hosted by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

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Mentioned in this episode:

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The Checklist Revolution: Streamlining Healthcare Content for Better Understanding

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Plain language is a communication style that aims to simplify complex information and make it more accessible to a wider audience. It involves using clear, concise, and jargon-free language to convey information in a way that is easily understood by the intended audience. The goal of plain language is to eliminate confusion, improve comprehension, and enhance communication between the sender and receiver.

In this episode, I speak with Ahava Leibtag, an expert in plain language and digital content strategy. Ahava is a 2020 inductee into the Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame as an Innovative Individual and has 20+ years of experience in content development. She is the president and owner of Aha Media Group, LLC, a copywriting, content strategy and content marketing consultancy. She is also the author of The Digital Crown: Winning at Content on the Web.

Today we're talking strategies for writing clear, understandable content for online education and digital platforms.

Key Takeaways

Plain language focuses on questions like: Can people find what they're looking for? Can they understand it? Can they act on it?
Break up content into small chunks with headings, bullet points, short paragraphs and plenty of white space. This makes digital content more scannable.
Limit sentences to no more than 14 words. Long, complex sentences are harder for readers to process.
Plain language does not mean "dumbing down" - you can still communicate sophisticated ideas clearly.
Writing should have cadence and rhythm, not just simplicity. Read content aloud to check flow.
Complexity does not equal authority. Clear communication better builds trust and credibility.
Stories and analogies are powerful tools for explaining complex medical concepts plainly.
Do keyword research to understand what terminology your audience uses and link plain language to those search terms.

Timestamps

(3:13) - Introducing Ahava

(7:50) - Definition and importance of plain language

(13:00) - Introduction to her Building Blocks: What they are and how they work

(18:32) - Ahava's perspective on all writing is rewriting

(22:56) - Simplifying digital content

(33:14) - How to still have authority and expertise with simplicity

(37:27) - Where to connect with Ahava

Resources

Free ebook. How to Write About Complex, How to Write About Sensitive and Difficult Topics

American Medical Writers Association Plain Language Checklist.

Connect with Ahava

Aha Media Group

LinkedIn

Support the show

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

⭐ Review the podcast

🗞️ Biweekly Newsletter with tips and resources to enrich your CME content niche

➡️ Join WriteCME Pro for ongoing professional development

🌐 Podcast website

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

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Audience-Centric Content: How to Boost Engagement and Impact

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0700

As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many in-person events to go virtual. While platforms like Zoom made the transition possible, “Zoom fatigue” quickly set in. Audiences have tuned out of long presentations and passive learning formats that are also typical of in-person conferences.

To combat Zoom fatigue, virtual event organizers need to completely rethink their approach. So to get some ideas on how to do this, I spoke with Chris Elmitt, an expert facilitator and CEO of the virtual event platform Livve, to get his tips on engaging audiences in the virtual environment.

As Chris notes, virtual platforms also have their limitations. “It’s more boring being in a virtual meeting than in a face-to-face meeting,” he says. With less social pressure to remain focused, audiences can easily check out. To keep audience attention, break content into smaller chunks, limit speaker monologues to 9 minutes maximum, and structure overall sessions to 30 minutes or less.

Key Takeaways:

Design virtual events for shorter attention spans - content should be in small chunks rather than long monologues. Keep presentations under 9 minutes.
Don't expect networking to happen organically in virtual events. Intentionally build in discussion activities.
Leverage the convenience of virtual events by spacing out content over multiple shorter sessions vs one long session.
Have presenters share information through dialogue and conversation rather than PowerPoint slides.
Let the audience choose topics on the fly that they want to be covered rather than sticking to a pre-planned agenda. I love StreamAlive for this.
Take advantage of simple equipment like mics and lighting to improve the audio and video quality for virtual presenters.
Rethink presentation style for the realities of virtual events rather than transposing what works for in-person events.

Connect with Chris

LinkedIn

Livve

e: chris.elmitt@livve.app

Support the show

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

⭐ Review the podcast

🗞️ Biweekly Newsletter with tips and resources to enrich your CME content niche

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Escape the Ordinary: Unlocking Engagement with Escape Rooms

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0700

In today’s episode, I speak with nurse educator Martha Johnson MSN, RN, CEN, otherwise known as Breakout RN, about using active learning strategies to engage nursing students for whom it is also often challenging to connect theory to bedside practice, especially in the context of unique patient scenarios. As a new educator, Martha's first theory course was PowerPoint-heavy with a scripted lecture. She started BreakoutRN to develop a learner-centered model and saw firsthand the improvements in student engagement and their ability to apply what they were learning to a clinical scenario. She encourages all nurse educators to embrace active learning while emphasizing that you don’t have to do it all at once, just take it one activity at a time.

Key Takeaways:

1. Active Learning: Martha emphasizes that traditional lectures are not enough. Active learning strategies like escape rooms and card decks engage learners mentally, physically, and emotionally, enhancing both understanding and retention.

2. The Nursing Process: This systematic approach to patient care involves assessment, problem identification, intervention planning, and evaluation. Martha's card decks are designed to guide students through this process in a simulated environment.

3. Educational Escape Rooms: Unlike entertainment escape rooms, educational ones have clear objectives and are meant to apply previously learned knowledge. They also offer opportunities to practice skills and professional behaviors like teamwork and communication.

4. Storytelling: Storytelling helps make learning stick in both in escape rooms and card decks. Real-world settings, clinical data, and even social determinants of health can add depth to the learning experience.

6. Interdisciplinary Learning: Martha mentions that some simulations involve interdisciplinary teams, including law enforcement and paramedic students, to mimic real-world scenarios.

Connect with Martha
LinkedIn
Breakout RN

Resources
Hrach S. Minding Bodies. Inclusive, low-tech, low-cost strategies that deepen embodied learning and the development of disciplinary knowledge and skills. [Use this affiliate link to support the podcast at no cost to you.]

Support the show

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap
⭐ Review the podcast
🗞️ Biweekly Newsletter with tips and resources to enrich your CME content niche
➡️ Join WriteCME Pro for ongoing professional development
🌐 Podcast website
🎙️ Share the podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Creating Value in CME/CE Content with Generative-AI

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0700

In this episode, I spoke with Sean Sodha, founder of medical content platform Grafi AI, about the promise and pitfalls of generative AI for healthcare content creators. Sean shared his unique perspective on navigating this emerging technology. We take a comprehensive look at the role of generative AI in medical content creation and explore its promise for augmenting human skills and improving productivity in the medical writing space.

Key Takeaways

Generative AI can greatly accelerate drafting and ideation, but always requires human review. Gen-AI creates a first draft, not a final product.
Prompt engineering could become less necessary as platforms improve at inferring users' needs and styles. Still, thoughtful prompts produce better results.
Look for gen-AI providers focused specifically on healthcare to address nuances around compliance, accuracy, empathy, and privacy.
Thoroughly vet platforms on explainability, recency, relevance, and uncertainty to ensure responsible AI practices.
When testing generative AI, use fake data rather than real person information to safeguard privacy.

Steps for Educators

Consider gen-AI to streamline early phases of content creation like outlining.
Remain mindful of how use of AI is communicated to learners. Focus on intended benefits.
Advocate for transparent AI practices by creators to build trust.

Connect with Sean
Grafi.ai
LinkedIn

Resources
BioGPT: a useful tool or cause for concern? The Publication Plan. July 2023.

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Mastering the Self-Edit: Tips and Tricks from Michelle Rizzo

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0700

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Rizzo, a trained journalist who turned her curiosity and life-long interest in medicine into a thriving career as a CME writer. Michelle currently works as an associate medical director and senior writer at a boutique CME content company, where she often finds herself writing and researching about rare diseases. She was kind enough to give us a glimpse into her writing process and share some actionable tips for getting into the field without a clinical background.

Here are three key takeaways from the episode.

Lead with the patient perspective: The ultimate goal of all CME content is to improve patient outcomes. So put your energy and effort into understanding how conditions impact the daily lives and trajectories of patients, beyond what the data alone may tell you.
Write with empathy: Behind every study are stories of clinicians and patients, and once you tell them, those stories will be read by others. So put intention into making content that’s clear and takes into consideration your subjects’ points of view and the audience’s needs.
Don’t be afraid to over-research: Time constraints are always a concern, but if you’re writing about a rare condition or a subject you’re not familiar with, strive to learn as much as you can before putting pen to paper.

This episode has nuggets of wisdom for everyone, whether you’re only thinking about getting into CME or have been in the industry for decades. Share your thoughts and CME career stories in the comments below!

Connect with Michelle
Associate Medical Director, Integrity Continuing Education
michellerenerizzo@gmail.com
LinkedIn

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Accelerating Change: A Call to Action on Gender Equity in Medicine

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0700

If you are at all interested in the status of women in medicine and the role of education in addressing gender inequities in the health professions, then you’re going to love today’s episode. I’m speaking with Rebecca Ortega about improving gender equity in cardiology. Rebecca is the Founding and executive director of Women as One, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting talent in medicine by offering professional opportunities to women cardiologists through several different programs.

1. Rapid Evolution in Cardiology: Rebecca discusses her experience at SCAI, where she was in charge of education.

2. The Art of Grant Writing: Needs assessment in grant writing. Get clear on why a program is necessary and how it will solve a problem.

3. Challenges in Procedural Training: It might be straightforward to offer training for new procedures but gender equity is a more complex challenge that requires a different educational approach.

4. Women as One Initiative: This organization promotes gender equity in cardiology through various programs like CLIMB, Escalator Awards, and a talent directory to help diversify clinical trial leadership.

5. Future of Gender Equity in Cardiology: Focus on improving the quality of experience for women in the field rather than just numerical representation.

Resources
🌐 Women as One
YouTube channel
AAMC Gender Inequity Initiative

Connect with Rebecca
LinkedIn

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Breaking Up the Lecture: The Power of Active Learning

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:00:00 -0700

I’m really excited to have today’s conversation with Dr. Barbie Honeycutt, a faculty development consultant and host of the podcast Lecture Breakers. Barbi is an expert in the field of active learning and is known for her work on creating engaging and effective learning experiences for students. She is the founder of FLIP It® and Interactive Lectures, two popular strategies for incorporating active learning in the classroom.

Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode.

1. Start with the learner's experience and where they are in their learning journey. Note their preferences for engaging with learning materials.

2. There’s a continuum of active learning strategies to engage learners from low to high intensity, from think-pair-share at one end of the continuum to project-based assignments at the other.

3. As we know in CME/CE, it’s vital to align activities to learning outcomes. For example: If critical thinking is a key outcome, use case studies.

4. Consider developing your content via inclusive course design principles that use Universal Design for Learning, draw on a diversity of voices, and offer learners choices about which content is most relevant and how to access that content.

5. Finally, mobile and microlearning are expanding in CME/CE. These are terrific tools for creating bite-sized content for busy professionals to learn as needed. An example might be 2-minute lessons that health professionals can complete on their phones and apply right away.

Resources
➡️ Bucklin B et al. Making it stick: use of active learning strategies in continuing medical education. BMC Medical Education. 2021, 21(44).
➡️ Universal Design for Learning guidelines
➡️ Six Thinking Hats from the de Bono group
➡️ Quick tips to break up lectures

Connect with Barbi
Barbi's website: barbihoneycutt.com
The Lecture Breakers podcast
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
LinkedIn
Website

Want tips and tricks to level up your CME/CE content writing practice? Subscribe to the biweekly newsletter.

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Human-Centered Instructional Design: A Catalyst for Effective Learning in CME/CE

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Instructional design for online courses is a crucial aspect of modern CME/CE. And as online learning has grown over the last 15 years or so, especially so since 2020, instructional designers play a vital role in creating effective and engaging CME/CE content for learners.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m speaking with Mark Hagerty, an expert in effective instructional design in the context of CME/CE with a passion for behavioral and life sciences. 🩺💡

Mark shares insights from his three-decade-long career in education and his background in psychology, biology, and organizational behavior.

Key highlights include:

The importance of involving multiple senses and humanizing content to boost engagement and retention. Dry text alone is an ineffective way to learn.
Strategies like storytelling and relatable narratives help learners emotionally connect with and absorb information more readily.
Building scenarios with realistic conflicts and frustrations clinicians experience makes the content more applicable and impactful.
Following core instructional design models like ADDIE (analyze, design, develop, implement, evaluate) leads to higher-quality education activities.
Tools like Articulate Storyline, Captivate, Snagit, and Camtasia enable interactive simulations, videos, and other multimedia elements to engage different learning styles.
Networking, reading, and continuous learning help instructional designers stay current on best practices in their field.

Mark's advice for anyone looking to improve their instructional design skills? Learn the ADDIE framework, get familiar with key software tools, play around with new ideas, and above all, have fun!

Whether you're a seasoned medical writer or just starting out, Mark's insights around empathy-driven content and immersive learning experiences are indispensable. Implementing strong instructional design principles can elevate any CME or medical writing to better educate and empower healthcare professionals.

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An Anesthesiologist's Wisdom on Life, Death, and Empathy

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Even those of us who’ve had surgery probably haven’t given much thought to the person who put us under and carefully monitored us while the surgeon did their work. I’m here today with anesthesiologist, author, and test pilot Dr. David Alfery to discuss his book, Saving Grace: What Patients Teach Their Doctors About Life, Death, and the Balance in Between, which was published by Wipf and Stock earlier in 2023. David was a cardiac anesthesiologist for over 30 years, taking patients to the brink of death and back during surgery.

A cardiac anesthesiologist, Dr. Alfery reveals to readers of his book the critical role of the “total stranger [who] would take them closer to death than they would ever come in this life, then bring them safely back."

David’s book explores the highs and lows of being an anesthesiologist, including his personal experience during his own daughter’s surgery. In this episode, we explore fears, aspirations, and motivations of health professionals and how to create and maintain sacred trust between physicians and their patients.

David shared 3 powerful takeaways:

1️⃣ Human connection is key: The doctor-patient relationship is a unique space that amplifies all the things that make us human and connect us. Empathy, gratitude, and perspective are the vital keys in our interactions with others.

2️⃣ Corporate medicine has negatively impacted teamwork in the OR by pressuring faster case turnover and high staff turnover. Teams that know each other work more smoothly together.

3️⃣ Trust and touch: Trust is at the core of the physician-patient relationship, and touch plays a crucial role in building that trust. Yet, there has been a shift in the reception of touch by patients. Personal space and boundaries are more important than ever, and it's essential for healthcare professionals to be respectful and mindful of this.

David D. Alfery. Saving Grace: What Patients Teach their Doctors about Life, Death, and the Balance in Between. Resource Publications. 2023. [this affiliate link earns the podcast a small commission at no additional cost to you]

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Breakthrough CME/CE: Transform Online Learning with the Art of Facilitation

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:00:00 -0700

If you are an education provider tasked with designing virtual education, or you work with providers involved in online group learning and experiences, today's episode is a must-listen.

Gwyn Wansbrough is a facilitator who designs and leads interactive online sessions. Gwyn shares how to run effective and engaging live online sessions and guide a group to achieve a specific outcome.

The more we talked, the more I realized that the preparation process for facilitation is akin to conducting a needs assessment and designing an education activity. We need to get to know our audience of learners, identify their gaps in knowledge or practice, and find out what they need to know and be able to do in order to make that education as concrete and meaningful as possible.

Here’s what we cover:

✔️ It’s the job of a facilitator to make it easy for a group to achieve an outcome. Facilitators can design an effective process by focusing on the purpose, audience, and desired transformation for the group.

✔️ How psychological safety encourages participants to actively contribute versus passively receive content.

✔️ How using an "ask then tell" approach taps into what adult learning research tells us about the power of connecting content to experience.

✔️ If you are new to the facilitation process, build your confidence by starting small with low-risk experiments—like sprinkling facilitation into content delivery.

Resources
➡️ Exceptional Virtual Facilitator Workshop on September 7, 2023. Registration details here.
➡️ The Quest: Subscribe for weekly facilitation tips and tricks
➡️ Breakthrough Facilitation: A cohort-based course designed to teach the art of facilitation, September 26th to October 26th. This affiliate link earns the Write Medicine podcast a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Experiential/transformative learning theorists
➡️ Here’s a great overview of John Dewey’s education philosophy
➡️ Background to Jack Mesirow’s work on transformational learning
➡️ Background to David Kolb’s work on experiential learning

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Grab Your Green Pen: Medical Writing Insights From Sarah Nelson

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Sarah Nelson PhD is a medical writer and founder of Green Pen Solutions Ltd. She is a leading mentor and trainer for medical writers all over the world. Her mission is to encourage more medical writers into Medcomms and help them create a sustainable career path that builds on their personal strengths.

Sarah's wide-ranging knowledge comes from over 17 years as a medical writer, her experience leading large editorial teams, and from mentoring writers in over 20 agencies across the medcomms industry.

In today’s episode, we focus on the importance of training for medical writers, medical writing tests, Sarah’s five pillars of medical writing, and the impact of artificial intelligence in medcomms. We also touch on the differences between Medcomms in general and the specific requirements of accredited CME/CE, at least in the United States.

Resources
Green Pen Solutions
Green Pen Solutions YouTube Channel
MedComms networking
For more specific information on how CME/CE is changing in Europe and in the UK, check out episode 55 with Eugene Poznak of the European CME forum.

Training and Mentorship
➡️ Sarah is hosting a brand new medical writing course with coaching. Now you can elevate your medical writing career with Sarah's industry-leading expertise through the exclusive Agency Ready program. Courses include comprehensive training and coaching packages, all designed to get you ready to launch the next phase of your medical writing career.

➡️ Take advantage of a special offer in September, saving you over £300 on the cost of enrolment on the Foundations of Excellence training course plus one of only 8 spots in the last Agency Ready coaching group of 2023.

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Learning in/from Libraries: The Power of Experience in CME/CE

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to the Write Medicine podcast! Before we get into today’s topic on the power of experience in learning, I wanted to share with you a message from Mallory Kane. Mallory is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Connecticut who is creating an anthology of essays based on testimonies from people whose lives have been impacted by cancer. Whether you are a patient or survivor, a family member or caretaker, she wants to hear from you. She is using this anthology to highlight the experience of living with this disease.

Mallory’s looking for 1–3-page essays (max 1500 words) answering the following prompt:

What lesson have you learned from your experience with cancer that you want others to know?

You can send your submissions to Mallory via email to makane@uchc.edu or via this form.

Adult learning is a complex process and we all want to think our CME/CE content measures up to the challenge. So today’s episode focuses on learning by doing and learning through experience.

But first, let's talk about building libraries and the American philosopher John Dewey.

Resources
Read a version of this episode here.

Ready to turbocharge your facilitation skills?
Next week my guest is Gwyn Wansbrough, who hosts Breakthrough Facilitation, an online course that provides personalized coaching, support, and feedback to fast-track your journey to becoming an exceptional virtual facilitator.

If you are interested in learning more about Breakthrough Facilitation, Gwyn is hosting a demo on Sept 7th. Learn more here.

But if you're ready to jump in, you can save $300 by using my affiliate link. Join the Breakthrough Facilitation by clicking here (affiliate link).

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Season 5 Finale: 3 Steps to Boost Your Foundational CME Knowledge

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 21:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the season finale of the Write Medicine podcast!

Today's episode was supposed to be live on LinkedIn, but we encountered some tech hiccups linking Riverside.fm to LinkedIn Live. Fret not! We recorded the episode for you, and it's available right here and on your favorite podcast platforms. We're looking forward to our first live episode, which we've rescheduled for the opening of Season 6 on August 30.

Launched 2 1/2 years ago, Write Medicine has evolved into the go-to podcast for professionals in the continuing medical education/continuing education for health professionals (CME/CE) field, packed with insightful interviews about the intricacies of designing and delivering health professional education. Thanks to listeners like you, Listen Score ranks Write Medicine as one of the top 10% most popular shows out of over 3 million podcasts worldwide.

Season 5 was packed with interviews featuring professionals from diverse backgrounds, to explore topics such as outcomes analysis, needs assessments, and diversity. Expect an exciting lineup in Season 6, including experts from online learning, instructional design, and niche topics such as the climate impact of digital content creation.

Season 5 has been a joy, and we're excited about the road ahead. Don’t forget to grab our WriteCME Roadmap bundle, specially crafted for medical writers. And if you have questions or topics you'd love us to cover in Season 6, reach out using the survey below.

RESOURCES AND LINKS

WriteCME Roadmap
What questions do you want the show to answer? Ask here.
Howson A. Practical Strategies for Creating CME/CE Content: Insights From Adult Learning Scholarship. AMWA Journal. 2023, 38(2).

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Enhancing CME with ChatGPT

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0700

As an accidental educator, Andrew Crim MEd, CHCP is a seasoned expert in designing educational programs for healthcare professionals. He’s the Director of Education and Professional Development at the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is deeply passionate about the effect that high-quality education can have on patient outcomes. As an early adopter of Chat GPT, Andrew recognizes the potential of this technology to transform the way healthcare professionals access and engage with CME content. So in this episode, we’re exploring the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT to revolutionize CME—from writing entire grant proposals to chatbots providing practice and feedback to learners. And of course, we talk about the limitations of generative AI.

💡 Idea to try

Check out Chat GPT and experiment with its capabilities

🧭 Resource to explore

Visit the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists website for more information on their education and professional development programs.

📱Follow Andrew Crim on LinkedIn for updates and insights on the latest developments in CME and AI.

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Exploring Intersectionality and Equity in CME

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0700

"There's great potential and power in acknowledging this. It's self to self, self to others single, self to others plural, and self to others at the macro level. You begin to appreciate how beautiful it can be all around you, how much we all need help, and how very related we are in our own ways."

In episode 62, Dr. Leigh Boehmer emphasizes the crucial role of self-awareness in understanding and practicing intersectionality, which goes beyond recognizing one's own complexities and involves acknowledging the unique layers of others.

Leigh is the Chief Medical Officer for the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) and is responsible for assessing educational needs and designing interventions for multidisciplinary cancer care teams serving patients in community oncology programs and practices. He also serves as a liaison with external stakeholders, including patient advocacy organizations, policy experts, and governmental agencies, to advance the objectives of the ACCC membership and projects.

Leigh describes how ACCC responded to health disparities that were exacerbated by the pandemic, and how it acted as a convener to connect individual community needs with the mechanisms necessary to address inequities. Finding ways to enhance human connection and practice empathy becomes even more crucial as technology continues to advance, with the rise of big data, AI, and machine learning.

Leigh highlights ACCC initiatives that foster connection and build equity such as the ACCC-ASCO implicit bias training program, which, combined with a clinical trial site self-assessment tool increased knowledge among participants of health disparities and strategies to address implicit bias and diversity in cancer clinical trials. The FDA requirement for the pharmaceutical industry to develop Diversity Action Plans from July 2023 is an additional, granular step toward addressing diversity and the broader social, political, and economic issues affecting cancer care.

Join us for a conversation about how continuing education, professional development, and the oncology community can give form to intersectionality and equity by asking the right questions, bringing the right people to the table, and listening.

Connect with Leigh
Email: lboehmer@accc-cancer.org
Association of Community Cancer Centers
LinkedIn

Resources
Barret N, et al. An Assessment of the Feasibility and Utility of an ACCC-ASCO Implicit Bias Training Program to Enhance Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Apr;19(4):e570-e580.

Guerra C et al. Increasing Racial and Ethnic Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Cancer Treatment Trials: Evaluation of an ASCO-Association of Community Cancer Centers Site Self-Assessment. JCO Oncol.Pract. 2023;19(4): e581-e588.

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Awareness to Action: Integrating DEI into CME

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0700

In today's episode, I have a conversation with Sapana Panday, a medical education specialist with over two decades of experience. Sapana shares how her background in public health and evaluation research led her to work in medical education, particularly in areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

About Sapana
Sapana earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s in Public Health, Socio-Medical Sciences, from Columbia University. She brings a unique perspective from her upbringing in the developing nation of Nepal where education was a privilege afforded by the few, to her days as a health educator in the troubled schools of New York City. Over the years, she’s designed innovative educational formats, often leading the charge in introducing new concepts to medical education. She is a frequent speaker at many conferences and an advocate for integrating DEI efforts in CME.

Integrate DEI
Sapana emphasizes the importance of integrating DEO policies into both continuing education for health professionals and continuing education workplaces.

Start with Faculty
For instance, faculty policies represent one core area that can benefit from an integrated DEI approach that considers the characteristics of the people contributing expertise to the design and development of content. A simple statement that outlines the organization's commitment to DEI sets a foundation for ensuring that faculty members reflect diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Avoid Performative Allyship
We also explore how to avoid performative allyship and how self-evaluation and internal reflection are important crucial steps toward creating a more diverse and inclusive environment in continuing healthcare education.

Cultivate Communication Channels
And in that context, Sapana cautions on how to avoid making the assumption that individuals from diverse backgrounds can speak for an entire group in general. She emphasizes instead, the value of cultivating channels to share diverse voices and opinions.

Connect with Sapana
Email: sapana.panday@gmail.com
LinkedIn

Resources
The Lancet Group’s commitments to gender equity and diversity
Ten steps to gender equity: The BMJ’s resolutions
Unconscious Bias Drives Your Decision-Making. Here's How to Take Control

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

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Empowering Learners Through Productivity Metrics

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Simulated case-based educational formats allow radiologists to develop their skills in a safe environment, learning from experts without the risks involved in clinical care.
This is exactly what Medality specializes in offering its learners.

On today’s episode, Dr. Deanna Heier, Ph.D., Head of Educational Strategy and Operations at Medality, shares how the company replicates side-by-side training through asynchronous and synchronous learning options and uses performance outcomes to enhance this approach to medical education.

While the microlearning model offers asynchronous, flexible case-based learning, faculty provide personalized feedback on both clinical and communication skills via synchronous learning.

Join us for a conversation about mentorship, using productivity metrics to assess outcomes and gauge the confidence, accuracy, and efficiency of learners, and how Medality is partnering with the American Association of Women and Radiology to diversify its faculty and balance out this male-dominated field.

Connect with Deanna
Email: dheier@medality.com
LinkedIn
Medality

Resources
American Association for Women in Radiology

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Building Blocks for a Successful Learning Culture

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0700

✨ Focus Your Writing with Ben Riggs ✨
Join Ben Riggs for a WriteCME Pro Expert Perspective session on how to focus your writing and create focused content for busy health professionals.

When: June 21, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Where: Live online
How: Buy a ticket for the event + 1 month of WriteCME Pro
__________________________

If content is King, learning culture must be Queen, as the latter goes a long way to determining learner outcomes. Frustrated with many years of check-box top-down broadcast learning culture, Andrew Barry founded Curious Lion and built a better way to effect behavior change by fostering progressive and transformative learning cultures.

In this episode, Andrew outlines the building blocks required for a successful learning culture.

✔️ Shared vision
✔️ Collaborative peer-to-peer team learning
✔️ Personal mastery & individual accountability
✔️ Systems thinking

Andrew invests heavily in building motivation through the self-determination theory of competence, relatedness, and autonomy, as he believes self-determination lies at the heart of behavior change. He recommends that creating learning cultures involves interventions at both the micro and macro levels, focusing on both the individual and company culture. We discuss the importance of developing life-long reflective learners and the circle of learning.

Connect with Andrew
Founder & CEO, Curious Lion
Email: andrew@curiouslionlearning.com
LinkedIn

Resources
Total Enablement Scorecard
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Learning Health Systems
Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline (shared vision and systems thinking)
Deci EL, Ryan R M. Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology . 2008;49(3): 182–185
MySnapshot

Produced by Golden Goose Creative

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Why Connection Is Key In CME

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0700

Whether you are an education provider working with a distributed team or a freelance writer working with multiple clients, connecting with your colleagues, peers, and clients is key.

Today I’m taking a deeper dive into connection to explore why it’s important in CME and to offer some different ways to foster connection with clients, colleagues, and content.

To apply empathy to content creation, you can create content in multiple formats and provide access to that content in multiple ways. For instance, if the primary format is a podcast, including a transcript for people who prefer to read can be helpful. It's important, too, to identify the factors that motivate learners to participate in the educational activity and use these motivation factors to help learners connect with the content. Self-determination theory can be a helpful framework here as a reminder that adult learners need to feel autonomous, competent, and connected to what they're learning, as well as to the people they're learning with.

We can also offer choices in the activity content and ensure the expectations for learners are succinct and clear and cultivate an audience mindset. By gathering feedback and engaging in dialogue with learners we can better understand what's important to them and create content that connects on a deeper level.

✔️ Only connect
✔️ Focus on relationship building
✔️ Cultivate empathy in CME planning, designing, and writing
✔️ Cultivate an audience mindset

Related Podcast Episodes
Conscious Communication in Content Creation
Mentoring You, Mentoring Me: Reciprocity and Relationships
Cultivating a Visual Mindset: Infographics in Continuing Healthcare Education

Articles
Deci EL, Ryan R M. Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology . 2008;49(3): 182–185
Gohil S, Vuik S, Darzi A. Sentiment Analysis of Health Care Tweets: Review of the Methods Used. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2018;4(2):e43
Guevara K et al. Busting myths in online education: Faculty examples from the field. J Clin Trans Sci. 2021; 5(1): e149.
CAST. Universal Design for Learning Guidelines.

Focus Your Writing with Ben Riggs
Produced by Golden Goose Creative

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Embracing Uncertainty: Connecting Creativity and Care in Medicine

Wed, 31 May 2023 13:00:00 -0700

Recently I read Tornado of Life: A Doctor’s Journey Through Constraints and Creativity in the ER by Jay Baruch, MD. It's a collection of linked essays, so you can dip into the book in small, snatched moments without losing momentum. If you need an introduction to the always challenging, sometimes messy, but ultimately humanizing work that clinicians do at the acute end of care, this is a great start.

Jay is a physician and writer who explores how creativity in medicine supports empathy, the cornerstone of clinical care. He is a practicing emergency room physician, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School, and the author of two award-winning short fiction collections.

In his latest book, Jay interrogates the messy spaces of clinical practice and the art of caring for patients. Today we are talking about connections between writing, healing, and clinical care. We discussed Jay's experience of writing the book, the experiences that led to writing the book, and the ways that writing can help us figure out who we are and what we think and feel.

Alan Bleakley, Emeritus Professor of Medical Education and Medical Humanities at the University of Plymouth calls Tornado of Life the best medical memoir he's read. I can only agree and encourage you to read the book, too.

Why? Because it'll expand your concept of the healthcare team to include "the regular players already there, humanity scholars, writers, artists, and designers."

And it'll expand your idea of what CME can do too.

Resources
Baruch J. Tornado of Life: A Doctor’s Journey through Constraints and Creativity in the ER. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. 2022.
Baruch J, Springs S, Poterack A, Ganz Blythe S. What Cy Twombly’s Art Can Teach Us About Patients’ Stories. AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(5):E430-436.
Baruch J. Doctors as Makers. Acad Med. 2017;92(1): 40-44.
Deavere Smith A. Talk to Me. Travels in Media and Politics. Anchor. 2001.
Scarry E. The Body in Pain. Oxford: OUP, 1987.
Schulz K. Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margins of Error. Harper Collins. 2011.

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Assessing Readiness for Change in Clinical and Community Education Interventions

Wed, 24 May 2023 13:00:00 -0700

Transforming our own habits is notoriously challenging and changing clinical practice habits even more so. But my guest today shares strategies that CME practitioners can apply to education design and implementation based on understanding clinician readiness to change.

Sara Johnson PhD is a leading expert in behavior change science. Along with Dr. Kerry Evers, she is co-President and CEO of Pro-Change Behavior Solutions, a behavior-change consulting firm and solution provider that empowers people to experience life-changing breakthroughs in health and well-being. Sara also co-edits the American Journal of Health Promotion (AJHP) and contributes to the Knowing Well, Being Well practitioner-focused section focusing on emerging trends in health promotion and well-being.

Sara's been refining the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of change for over two decades and in our conversation she explains how to apply the five stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance) to understand readiness for change as a foundation for clinician-focused education as well as multi-level community-based education.

To this end, Sara shares insights from the Communities United Together for Health enterprise, a multi-level initiative addressing health disparities around diabetes in Black communities, inspired by a collaboration with Dr. Stephen Thomas from the University of Maryland Center for Health Equity.

Connect with Sara
ProChange Behavior Solutions
LinkedIn

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East Meets West: Exploring the European CME Landscape

Wed, 17 May 2023 13:00:00 -0700

Ready for a tour of the European Continuing Medical Education environment?

Eugene Pozniak is Managing Director and CEO of Siyemi Learning, an independent medical education provider established in 2006. In fact, Siyemi Learning is the first non-US organization to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and is uniquely also accredited on the other side of the Atlantic by the European Board for Accreditation of Continuing Education for Health Professionals (EBAC).

Eugene left the promotional sector in 2000 and has since worked exclusively in CME-CPD, initially devising, and delivering e-learning for the European Society of Cardiology and the Federation of European Cancer Societies. He was Director of Global CME (ex-US) at Wolters Kluwer Health, before setting up Siyemi Learning and the European CME Forum.

Eugene describes a disparate European CME landscape, driven by national requirements and split by specialties within countries. We explore accreditation similarities and differences between Europe and the US. For example, while European activity-based accreditation systems embrace a granular, structured approach focusing on the format and organization of the educational activity, US accreditation allows comparatively more flexibility to deliver innovative education.

We also discuss the European CME Forum, cofounded by Eugene alongside Peter Llewellyn in 2008, which facilitates open discussion amongst all stakeholder groups and promotes a high standard of CME in Europe. Eugene also set up the Journal of CME (JCME), an open-access, peer-reviewed journal with a global focus on all aspects of CME-CPD, and is a founding member of the Good CME Practice Group.

CME Practice and Accreditation Stakeholders in Europe

The European Accreditation Council of CME (EACCME) of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). EACCME is run by UEMS.
The European Board for Accreditation of Continuing Education for Health Professionals (EBAC)
The European CME Forum
The Good CME Practice group (gCMEp)
The International Academy for CPD Accreditation

Resources
Journal of CME
Good CME Practice group
European CME Forum

Connect with Eugene
email: epozniak@CMEforum.org
LinkedIn
Siyemi Learning

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Crafting Rich Learning Experiences to Optimize Education

Wed, 10 May 2023 13:00:00 -0700

Instructional designers are the architects of learning experiences.

In this episode, Parker Grant PhD, the co-founder of IDLance, an instructional design freelance agency, discusses the learning process, how to use learners’ experiences to optimize education, and where instructional designers go for their story inspiration.

Parker advises, “In adult learning, what's really important to know, is that all learning is experiential. What makes learning better is having a multifaceted approach, meaning you don't look at just any one mode of learning as the optimum, but the combination of many facets.”

To these ends, Parker uses concept maps to create learning experiences. He finds that mental models help individuals to visualize other perspectives and shift mental models, thus encouraging consistent performance and improving outcomes.

Parker describes the core characteristics of well-designed learning activities that allow us to deliver rich learning experiences for healthcare professionals and we discuss how simulations and case studies can enhance the learning experience through feedback and building consequences into the virtual experience.

Resources
Genter D. Holyoak KJ, Kokinov BN. (eds) The Analogical Mind: Perspectives from Cognitive Science. The MIT Press. 2001.
Stevens AL, Gentner D. Mental Models. NY: Psychology Press. 2014.
7taps Microlearning Platform
Arist

Connect with Parker
Email: pgrant@idlance.com
IDLance
LinkedIn

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Navigating the World of Medical Writing

Wed, 03 May 2023 13:00:00 -0700

What qualities do medical writers need? This is a question I'm frequently asked.

In this episode, expect to hear some robust answers—whatever your niche, specialty, or area of focus.

Holly Hagan MSc, Success Coach for Medical Writers, believes that all medical writers require diplomacy, intellectualism, inquisitiveness, and resourcefulness as fundamental qualities to thrive.

Authentically embodying moral and civic character lies central to her approach to medical writing. In addition, Holly maintains that personal branding goes deeper than your background banner, understanding personal brand to encompass the experience of your every interaction with colleagues and customers.

She advocates that employees and freelancers would benefit from adopting a service mindset. Shifting to a service mindset also allows writers to reframe the taboo surrounding sales into one where we understand and fulfill the customer's needs. Holly advises beginner writers to remain vigilant about opinions versus facts when considering what is possible and recommends using visualizations to stay focused on achieving your goals.

Holly suggests, "I find that it can be really powerful to separate the facts from opinions when it comes to your job search. That core belief will then change what sort of things you see in the visible world."

Connect with Holly
Email: holly@hollyhagan.ca
Top Medical Writer
LinkedIn
Holly is presenting at the AMWA Carolinas spring conference: Learn more

Resources
Clifton Strengths

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Turning the Tables: My Personal Journey into CME Writing

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Write Medicine, the tables are turned as I’m interviewed by guest host Holly Hagan. We talk about my own personal journey into CME writing, including how joining the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions was a turning point in my business. Being a part of this community has given me the opportunity to learn about new developments in the field and connect with education providers.

We discuss how I’ve integrated my previous experience and interests into my work, some key learnings when it comes to running my own business, and I share some of my favorite recommendations for academics or medical professionals who want to explore a career in CME writing.

And on May 5, 2023, I’ll return the favor and interview Holly about her expertise in medical marketing and copywriting.

Connect with Alex
LinkedIn
Website
Courses, Community, Coaching

Connect with Holly
LinkedIn
Holly is presenting at the AMWA Carolinas spring conference: Learn more

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Vital Role of Integrity and Trust in CME

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:00:00 -0700

If you've been in the CME field for more than a hot minute, you'll know that Graham McMahon MD, MMSc is a medical educator, researcher, and practicing endocrinologist. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) and an Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Medical Education at Northwestern University.

Today, we're talking about integrity and trust in CME. We dig into the factors that prompted the publication in 2020 of ACCME's report on standards for integrity and independence in CME, especially the emergence of potential threats to content credibility. Graham emphasizes the importance of nurturing innovation and retaining balance in education and points to the role of content validity as a core part of ACCME's standards and promise to the community of physician learners.

We also talk about the centrality of trust in the process of teaching and learning, how the concept of an educational home fosters trust among physician learners and the work to be done in the CME community to ensure safe learning spaces and create education that is diverse in focus, content, and faculty contribution.

Resources
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®). Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. 2020.

McMahon GT. Changes to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Continuing Medical Education. JAMA. 2021

Sklar DP, McMahon GT. Trust between teachers and learners. JAMA. 2019;321(22): 2157-2158

Connect with Graham
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education

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Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Writing Your Own Success Story as a Freelance Medical Writer

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Clinicians, academics, or researchers transitioning into freelance medical writing—whether it's CME-focused or not—often worry about whether it’s the right move to make and whether there will be enough work to support their goals.

In today’s episode, long-time freelance medical writer Jonathan Agnew PhD, MBA brings a sense of reassurance to these questions and emphasizes the potential for abundantly available work. In addition, he shares tools and techniques to facilitate the freelance process.

Notably, Jonathon’s mantra is “your mindset underpins your success.” He recommends that you avoid the perfectionist mindset many clinicians and academics are prone to and instead strive for excellence and quality.

These goals will give you permission to take risks and enjoy the benefits of autonomy.

And Jonathan recommends defining quality simply. he says the best metric of success as a freelancer is getting paid and learning to value yourself fairly is a vital business mindset.

Connect with Jonathan
email: jonathan@agnewmedical.com
LinkedIn
Website

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Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Power Up Your CME/CE Writing Strategy with the Art of Negotiation

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 12:00:00 -0700

Christine Welniak is an independent medical writer who specializes in cardiology and diabetes. She values opportunities to develop content that helps healthcare providers learn about new treatments that could improve patient outcomes. Christine contends that "content is king" and is central to producing high-quality CME/CE writing. Learning the art of the pitch in her previous life on Wall Street, Christine is well-equipped to discuss why CME/CE medical writers require skills in negotiation and strategy.

Although CME/CE writers are sometimes undervalued in terms of remuneration, it's possible to achieve above-average market rates. Christine observes that writers who do so demonstrate skills above and beyond excellent writing, such as strategy, analysis, or comfort in talking with faculty members.

To this end, Christine highlights her top tips for approaching negotiation and empowering yourself to talk about money with ease.

Be honest, direct, and listening
Define your non-negotiables upfront
Learn the language suitable for money conversations
Practice getting comfortable talking about money

Connect with Christine
LinkedIn

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Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Should You Go Down the Rabbit Hole?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0700

The medical and CME writers I teach often worry about how to rein in a tendency to burrow into the rabbit hole.

If you're a medical writer, I'm sure you know what I mean. That tendency to get led into or follow the delicious temptations of information, data, and stories that bear a family resemblance to the project you're working on, but are not quite on track.

The stories that are fascinating and feed your mind, but don't necessarily move your project any closer to a conclusion.

Like you, I’m up against the challenge of the rabbit hole too.

But instead of seeing rabbit holes as something that derails us, perhaps it's possible to view them as gifts.

In today's episode, I share a process that accommodates the pleasure of following where the rabbit hole leads and supports the time frame you typically have to do your work.

Resources
The shape of notes
Apps to match your note-taking style
Referencing software reviewed

Connect with Alex
LinkedIn
Website

Watch the podcast on YouTube

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Robust Outcomes Frameworks for Effective CME/CE

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0700

The CME/CE field has increased its focus on outcomes over the last decade. As a result, outcomes reports now involve a more bespoke process, showcasing more detailed targeted data presented in a visually appealing way.

Angelique Vinther CHCP is an independent data and outcomes consultant who has specialized in IME reporting for 14 years. She focuses primarily on data collection and analysis methodologies, test question-writing best practices, and reports that communicate clear messaging and data transparency.

In today’s episode of Write Medicine, we discuss best practices that education providers can use to evaluate the effectiveness of their CME/CE programs and how to use outcomes to inform decision-making. We explore solutions to education providers' main challenges in developing robust outcomes frameworks, like establishing an efficient process that allows time to evaluate the quality of feedback and think creatively about activity design.

Connect with Angelique
LinkedIn

Familiarity with outcomes is core to writing needs assessments.
Next Level Needs Assessments is open for enrollment.
You’ll learn how to write lean, agile needs assessments with the help of deliberate practice, peer-to-peer discussion, and expert feedback.
Runs April 3-May 12, 2023
Ready to level up your needs assessment writing strategy? Learn more.

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Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

How Clinicians Can Pivot to a Fulfilling Career in Medical Writing

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0700

The content creation process in continuing education for health professionals (CEHP) combines both art and science. As a result, creating content for continuing education attracts people who are synthesizers, information seekers, and creators—like academics, researchers, or health professionals looking for a career change.

In EP 46 we explore taking the leap from clinical work to medical writing with Esther Langmack, MD, a medical writer and CME consultant. Esther deliberately practiced her newly acquired skills while working as a clinician and medical director of the CME unit at an academic medical center. Tapping into her natural curiosity, she fostered connections and honed her skills by being open to feedback from experienced colleagues.

We talk about the creativity, flexibility, and autonomy that creating education content for health professionals offers and discuss clinicians' specific strengths in CME/CEHP medical writing.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Joint Accreditation: Evolving Best Practices in IPCE

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Diana Durham PhD, FACEHP is an accreditation strategist who has worked in CME/CPD since the 1990s. Diana has served in many leadership roles, including for the Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

We talk about the accreditation process in general and the evolution of joint accreditation in interprofessional continuing education (IPCE). And we consider how IPCE is evolving and the trends and impacts of accreditation bodies giving hospitals, healthcare systems, specialty societies, and medical schools a mechanism for joint accreditation. Diana shares her perspectives on creative methods of educating all members of the healthcare team such as Schwartz rounds, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes), and simulations.

Resources
Volpone
ACCME
ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education
Joint Accreditation
American Council for Pharmacy Education
American Nurses Credentialing Center
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Council on Optometric Practitioner Education
American Dental Association
Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer

Connect with Diana
DianaJDurhamCPD@gmail.com
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
Podcast
LinkedIn
YouTube

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Rapid Publishing in a Era of Transparency

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Medical research has the potential for far-reaching implications for individuals and society. Peer review remains the gold standard to ensure high-quality information. However, traditional journal submission involves an extensive process that is often costly, and time-consuming process.

Mark Riotto is the founder and president of The Research Post, a peer-reviewed, open-access publishing channel. Mark shares his insights on medical publishing and his campaign to promote a more visual experience for disseminating clinical data in a timely fashion. Mark considers the barriers to accessible, digestible information and we explore the advantages of the visual medium in an increasingly transparent publishing process.

Resources
The Nelson Memo: Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research

Connect with Mark
TheResearchPost
LinkedIn
Facebook: @theresearchpost

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Podcast
LinkedIn
YouTube

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Balancing Body Maintenance for Medical Writers

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Sedentary lifestyles pose significant well-being challenges to western cultures. For example, prolonged periods at a desk affect posture, mental and physical health, and stress levels. Those of us working in continuing medical education and continuing education for health professionals are no exception to these risks and we can all benefit from a proactive approach to injury prevention.

Eva Stabenow, a medical writer and German translator specializing in health and wellness communication, shares her insights with us today. After years of searching Eva found relief from chronic work-related pain by re-patterning her movements with Pilates. When she realized many of her fellow desk workers were facing the same challenges, she set out to help them. Today, in addition to keeping a full-ish writing and translation schedule, she empowers people of all ages and abilities to move better, feel better and live better through targeted 1-1 sessions and affordable online group classes.

In addition to helping people understand complex health content using plain language, Eva physically conveys her passion for health and health communication by teaching Pilates—a low-impact activity that balances strength with mobility and flexibility, so that you can move more freely and with more power.

We discuss the following topics:

✔️ Who benefits from Pilates, and what are those benefits
✔️ Preconceptions of flexibility, mobility, and strength training
✔️ What to look for in a Pilates instructor
✔️ Pilates role in bridging the gap between physical therapy and return to regular workouts

Resources

Connect with Eva
You can find and follow her at Sunroom Pilates.
email: info@sunroompilates.com

Message Eva and mention this podcast to try a free class!

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Find Your Writing Voice: BONUS Episode

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0700

In this bonus episode of Write Medicine I talk with Ben Riggs about writing voice. Ben is Senior Communication Specialist for Kettering Health and author of Tell Them A Story.

He shares insights on three components that contribute to writing voice: level of formality, syntax and use of metaphor.

Connect with Ben
LinkedIn

Resources
Riggs B. Tell Them a Story. Using narrative nonfiction in your everyday writing. NY: Editorial Freelancers Association.
WordRake: Writing Professionals on LinkedIn to Follow
Pepper Content:15 Freelance Writers You Should Follow on Linkedin for Inspiration
Clear Writing Q&A
Get Started on Your Writing Journey
The Importance of Powerful Storytelling in Writing

When we were talking about ideas/"leafmold," Ben mentioned an essay he wrote about walking his dog, Lewie. Here's the essay.

Ben's recommendations for d books on writing:

Elements of Style (Strunk &White)
Writing Tools and Help! for Writers (Roy Peter Clark)
On Writing Well and Writing to Learn (William Zinsser)
The Reader, the Text, the Poem (Louise Rosenblatt)

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Nurture Connection: Tell Them a Story

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Storytelling cultivates authentic connections and inspires curiosity in our audiences. At the same time, arousing emotions can enhance the learning experience in professional development and continuing education scenarios, like continuing medical education/continuing education in the health professions (CME/CEHP).

Today with Ben Riggs, author, writing coach, and Senior Communication Specialist for Kettering Health, Write Medicine considers how to use storytelling in the health professional education field.

We focus on the importance of understanding the constituent parts of the writing process and understanding audience needs by first defining who they are.

Connect with Ben
LinkedIn

Resources
Riggs B. Tell Them a Story. Using narrative nonfiction in your everyday writing. NY: Editorial Freelancers Association.
WordRake: Writing Professionals on LinkedIn to Follow
Pepper Content:15 Freelance Writers You Should Follow on Linkedin for Inspiration
Clear Writing Q&A
Get Started on Your Writing Journey
The Importance of Powerful Storytelling in Writing

When we were talking about ideas/"leafmold," Ben mentioned an essay he wrote about walking his dog, Lewie. Here's the essay.

Ben's recommendations for d books on writing:

Elements of Style (Strunk &White)
Writing Tools and Help! for Writers (Roy Peter Clark)
On Writing Well and Writing to Learn (William Zinsser)
The Reader, the Text, the Poem (Louise Rosenblatt)

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Multifaceted Dynamic Patient Cases in CME/CE

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0700

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) encourages the inclusion of the patient perspective within CME activities. And patient cases are a great way to meet this recommendation.

Allison Armagan, Pharm.D. a content and education director specializing in creating interactive patient cases, joins me in this episode to talk about how to create multifaceted, dynamic patient cases for education activities. She talks about how targeted patient cases provide ways for clinicians to experience a "real-life" scenario, allow them to practice their skills in a consequence-free environment, address patient needs, and identify gaps in their knowledge and skills.

Designing patient cases involves a LOT of research, starting with patient advocacy websites, clinical guidelines, and recent literature. Allison emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient's voice, in addition to the disease state information, and of the power of the narrative. to engage audiences by telling a memorable and enjoyable story.

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Pfizer.

Resources
Episode 4 of Write Medicine focuses on writing patient cases with Scott Kober.
Allison mentioned I’m Aware That I’m Rare, a podcast on pulmonary hypertension.

Connect with Allison
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
LinkedIn
Website

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Evolving CME/CE with Outcomes Reports

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Providers of accredited education for health professionals need to demonstrate that education activities have changed learner behavior and healthcare quality for the better.

One of the best ways to show positive change is via outcomes reports. In episode 39 of Write Medicine, Medical Writer and Certified CME Professional Andrew Bowser ELS, CHCP talks about outcomes. Andy is the owner and lead developer with IconCME, a content development and consulting firm in Philadelphia. We discuss the format of reports, who the audiences are for outcomes reports, and how the results can help education evolve and improve.

Andy describes the evolution of CME, outlines Moore’s Outcomes Framework for evaluating outcomes, and explores the increasing oversight of what constitutes accredited CME. We discuss the importance of narrative and telling a story within outcomes reporting and he recommends using visual cues to simplify the design and improve comprehension.

He says, “there's a lot of interesting and creative ways you can portray the data and help people comprehend the outcomes of an activity.”

The following acronyms are mentioned in our conversation.

CME = Continuing Medical Education
CE = Continuing Education
CPD = Continuing Professional Development

Connect with Andy
IconCME
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
LinkedIn
Website

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Fearless Freelance Marketing in CME Writing and Beyond

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0700

Are you fearless in your marketing?

If not, I got good news for you.

Lori De Milto, author of The fearless Freelancer is talking with me on this episode of Write Medicine. We explore effective marketing for freelance writers and others working in medical communications, the importance of cultivating a freelance mindset, and how to embody grit, resilience, and confidence in your marketing. Wherever you are on your marketing journey, Lori will reassure you that you have the power to make your freelance future brighter by building relationships through networking. If you're in a marketing slump, or you don't know where to start, listen to the podcast, buy the book, and you will feel like and be in actuality, a fearless freelancer.

Lori highlights the importance of strategic networking to create work opportunities and stay front of mind for prospective clients. As we all know, LinkedIn is key to strategic networking. Lori explains the value of an optimized LinkedIn account as a networking tool and for researching potential clients.

We touch on the importance of adopting a growth mindset approach that includes grit, resilience, and confidence.

Lori reassures us we all have the power to make our freelance future brighter by building relationships through networking.

Connect with Lori
e: themightmarketer@comcast.net
Mighty Marketer
Lori De Milto Writer for Rent LLC
LinkedIn

Ready to level up your needs assessment writing strategy?
In Next Level Needs Assessments you’ll learn how to write lean, agile needs assessments with the help of deliberate practice, peer-to-peer discussion, and expert feedback.

Doors close January 31, 2023.

✴️ Grab your spot.✴️

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Digging Deeper with Root Cause Analysis

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:00:00 -0700

Continuing medical education planning usually includes a needs assessment.

But sometimes it’s pretty challenging to get to the root cause of clinical or professional practice gaps, because they are often multifactorial.

That’s where root cause analysis comes in.

In episode 37 of Write Medicine, Greg Salinas, PhD, President of CE Outcomes, discusses his unique approach to needs assessments using root cause analysis. He emphasizes that the literature tells us that practice gaps exist (the what), but that we learn more about why gaps exist through direct outreach to clinicians and other stakeholders.

We explore what root cause analysis involves, its benefits for CME needs assessments, and how to approach it using conversational interviews and qualitative analysis.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Conscious Communication in CME Content Creation

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 15:00:00 -0700

Crystal Herron, PhD, ELS founder of Redwood Ink, is an editor, educator and coach. In this episode, she shares her insights into building relationships through supportive, mindful collaboration.

Crystal explains how cultivating a gentle and informative manner for feedback promotes longevity with clients. This mindful approach is evident in her informative website resources and newsletter, which are well worth checking out.

Crystal advises cultivating a communication skills mindset, with self-awareness and self-regulation at the center through the following:

Slowing down when gathering information
Allowing for curiosity
Meditation
Journaling, using the 5-minute morning and evening feedback practice (here's how Tim Ferriss uses this practice)

Crystal also counsels us to consider the emotions behind our writing and content creation. Understanding how our audience feels, not just their interests or knowledge base, allows us to form stronger connections with readers (and learners). Achieving this connection requires going beyond the text and cultivating direct interactions with readers and learners.

Resources for Developing Communication Skills

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
Nonviolent Communication: A language of life by Marshall Rosenberg
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila Heen
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

Connect with Crystal
LinkedIn
Website
Newsletter
Freebies

Crystal is offering a 5% discount for her Scientific Writing Masterclass . Next session starts January 30. Registration closes January 23. The code does not expire.

Get the Code

Editing Software
Text Expander Shortcuts: save time with snippets
Autotext is built into Microsoft Word

Sponsors
CMEpalooza
WriteCME Pro

Production Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Show notes: Rhona Fraser BSc BVMS
Management: Golden Goose Creative

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Improving Community Health at the Confluence of QI and CME

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0700

Community health improvement and improving healthcare quality are both Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Accreditation with Commendation criteria.

In this episode of Write Medicine, Heather Clemons, MS, MBA, ATC, CHCP shared how she and her colleagues at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Mesa, California, mobilized quality improvement (QI), a community needs assessment, and continuing medical education (CME) to improve community health and clinical care.

As Heather describes, there are many facets to QI, including clinical analytics at the system level, performance improvement CME, and patient safety, which involves specialists to determine root cause analysis—which we’ll be exploring in Season 5 of the podcast.

We discuss how diversity, equality, and equity emerged as goals for Sharp Healthcare via a combination of an employee grassroots movement, California legislation, and a health system culture underpinned by an awareness of the social determinants of health and unconscious bias or stigma.

The confluence of these factors allowed Heather and her colleagues to build a unique CME and QI process, that included:

Regular discussions in different formats to create a safe learning space
A tri-annual community needs assessment
An established process to validate gap analyses
Proactively addressing community and clinician education needs through CME

As Heather says, improving community health and clinical care involves,

meeting people where they’re at, seeing them for who they are, meeting their needs the way they need them met. And that’s different for everybody.

Resources

U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module
California Medical Association resources on Cultural & Linguistic Competency (AB1195) and Implicit Bias (AB241)
California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act (SB 464): resources on implicit bias and reproductive justice
Community Health Needs Assessments Sharp HealthCare/San Diego
Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare Leadership (chapter: Sharp HealthCare Food Insecurity Education Initiative, Raine Arndt-Couch, Heather L. Clemons, Jeonathan Rodriguez Roman, and Jillian Warriner)

Abbreviations
ERAS: Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols
ABIM: American Board of Internal Medicine
PI-CME: Performance improvement continuing medical education

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

The Future of Learning is Sound: Podcasts in Continuing Healthcare Education

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0700

We're getting a little meta here on Write Medicine—this is a podcast episode on the value of podcasts 😉

Did you know that podcasts are increasing in popularity in continuing healthcare education?

As I was researching this episode, I was astounded to see the enormous growth in the number of continuing education podcasts, and the number of clinicians using podcasts as part of their formal and informal learning. As of 2019, the last year for which I could find figures, there were 200 medical podcasts available online covering 19 specialties and almost 14,000 episodes.

And while many podcasts now offer CME and maintenance of certification credits through organizations like the American College of Physicians and the Society of Hospital Medicine, they are still relatively under-used as a CME format.

On this episode of Write Medicine I talk with Mike Donoghue, an enthusiastic podcast consumer who co-founded ConveyMED after recognizing that podcasts offer a great way to learn. As he put it (paraphrasing , when your eyes are busy, your mind is free.

We talk about how the ConveyMED platform delivers a novel podcast experience combining visual images alongside an audio experience, and touch on the challenges in setting up a podcast. ConveyMED partners with medical associations to provide content expertise and guides the design process to ensure a self-directed experience that includes:

Conversational style discussions between experts
Problem-centered content
Material that is framed into short, accessible modules

As Mike explains,

This is how the mobile generation wants their content. So if you're an association, an academic medical centre, or another content creator and you're not doing podcasts, I would highly encourage you to think about it.

Connect with Mike: mike@conveymed.io

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Cultivating a Visual Mindset: Infographics in Continuing Healthcare Education

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0700

Infographics offer a powerful tool in our education armamentarium.

We process images much faster than we do text, so visual communication saves time and allows more effective data retention.

On this episode of Write Medicine, I'm joined by Bhaval Shah PhD and Karen Roy MSc—co-founders of Infograph-Ed, a company delivering engaging visual communications in healthcare.

We talk about the power of visual communications in continuing healthcare education, how to develop a visual mindset and current trends in visual communications. We also discuss the design process and how to create effective visual communication through the following strategies:

Communicate a value proposition
Identify what your audience is looking for
Deliver accessible member-driven content
Evaluate your resources
Analyze feedback to focus content on the audience's requirements.

Resources from Infograph-Ed and Others
4-step plan: Designing Information with Impact
Better Ways to Present Information and Data
Color tool
Nightingale viz
McCandless D. Information is Beautiful. 2000. Collins.
Kirk A. Visualizing Datawebsite

Connect with Infograph-Ed
Karen Roy, CEO and Co-Founder: karen@infograph-ed.com

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Enhance Your CME/CE Provider Portfolio with Podcasts

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0700

Podcasts continue to grow in popularity, and educational podcasts have multiplied in recent years. In addition, the trend towards mobile education and shorter, more focused activities will likely continue as millennials become the majority of the health care workforce.

On this episode of Write Medicine, I talk with Lisa Townsend, a marketing and communications professional working in healthcare associations and non-profit organizations. We discuss the developing role of both accredited and non-accredited continuing education podcasts and how they fit within the education provider's content portfolio in member-driven organizations and associations.

In particular, Lisa shares insights on how to:

Communicate a value proposition
Identify what your audience is looking for
Deliver accessible member-driven content
Evaluate your resources
Analyze feedback to focus content on the audience's requirements.

Connect with Lisa
e: lisatownsend01@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Twitter

Connect with Alex
Twitter
LinkedIn

Production Team
Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP: Host/Producer
Rhona Fraser BSc BVMS: Show notes
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Between the Cracks: Designing Multidisciplinary Provider Education to Ensure Equitable Patient Care

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0700

Multi-disciplinary education has expanded in the last decade or so as a way to ensure that healthcare teams cooperate, coordinate care and communicate to make care more patient-centered, continuous and reliable.

On this episode of Write Medicine I talk with Lorna Lucas, MSM, a healthcare education professional and advocate for equitable healthcare. We discuss the role of multidisciplinary education in improving patient outcomes, the challenges in delivering and evaluating multidisciplinary education, and interventions that emerged during the early months of the COVID 19 pandemic to provide psychosocial support for both professionals and patients.

Lorna shares the need to focus on designing and delivering educational content in a holistic, equitable, and patient-centric way that fosters interdisciplinary collaborative practice.

She says, “We must look holistically at the team dynamic. It’s great to have everyone performing at the top of their medical discipline. However, coordinated care requires attention between the cracks.”

In this episode we talk about the importance of the following:
✔️ Local/onsite champions to support multidisciplinary education
✔️ Deep listening to perspectives in each discipline
✔️ Ensuring that everyone involved feels heard
✔️ Emphasizing a comprehensive team approach to address challenges, many of which are operational
✔️ Designing and delivering programs that work with everyone’s role in mind

We also touched on the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing disparities and inequities in education. She described how educators can play a role in providing psychosocial support for health professionals and how this support can improve patient outcomes.

Connect with Lorna
e: Lornapomicter@gmail.com
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
Twitter
LinkedIn

Hosted and produced by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP
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➡️ Needs Assessment Fall Workshop

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Meeting the Need for Trustworthy CME/CE Needs Assessments

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0700

Ruwaida Vakil, MSc is a consultant, speaker and a medical writer with expertise in medical communications and continuing medical education (CME). Ruwaida earned her MSc in Immunology at the University of Toronto and the Ontario Cancer Institute. She moved into developing educational content over 21 years ago and is a highly experienced writer of needs assessments. She has developed an effective system for ensuring that these kinds of CME/CE deliverables are framed by fair balance, detail gaps in clinical practice, describe the likely education required to address those gaps, and foreshadow anticipated outcomes from education.

On this episode, Ruwaida shares valuable lessons for people considering a move into CME/CE writing, or for CME/CE writers who are considering working freelance.

✔️Establishing a CME/CE writing niche can be highly rewarding and sustainable especially if you establish yourself as an expert in writing needs assessments.

✔️Direct energy into marketing yourself as a CME/CE writer to ensure a steady stream of valuable and valued clients.

✔️Develop relationship management skills to ensure fair balance and content integrity.

✔️Use downtime to remain current in your specialist area. You can share new insights with clients and position yourself as a valuable partner in their work.

✔️Sales training and non-accredited education clients value CME writers as skilled content partners.

Resources
Ruwaida has generously shared a range of resources for listeners.

Connect with Ruwaida
ProMed Write LLC
e: ruwaida@promedwrite.com
LinkedIn
Twitter

Connect with Alex
Twitter
LinkedIn

Hosted and produced by Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP
➡️

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Defining Competencies for CME/CE Writers

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Write Medicine, I'm joined by Don Harting to talk about CME writing competencies. What are the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that those writing CME/CPD content need to develop in order to create content that connects with and educates health professionals?

Medical writers often ask CME writers where to find training and how to get started in CME writing. Don says that clients share with him how challenging it is to find skilled writers for CME-related work. Don and his co-investigator Haifa Kassis think the medical writing field needs a competency model as a basis for training programs and skill-building that is directed toward the need for codified expertise in CME writing. They're using a Delphi process with a panel of experts to determine what those competencies might be.

We discussed:
✔️ Changing practices for writing needs assessments
✔️ What a competency model for CME/CPD writers might entail
✔️ Why a competency model for CME/CPD writers is important
✔️ Key deliverables for CME writers
✔️ The role of Delphi method in determining competencies—what it is and how it can be used
✔️ Ranking function in Delphi
✔️ Anticipated outcomes from the Delphi approach
✔️ Ethics and fair balance in content development

Resources

Norman Dalkey and Delphi method
Clemow D et al. Medical writing competency model—Section 1: Functions, tasks, and activities. Ther Innov Regul Sci. 2018;52(1):70-77
Clemow D et al. Medical writing competency model—Section 2: Knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors. Ther Innov Regul Sci. 2018;52(1):78-88
LockyerJ, Bursey F, Richardson D, et al. Competency-based medical education and continuing professional development: A conceptualization for change. Med Teach. 2017;39 6): 617-622
Khurana MP et al. Digital health competencies in medical school education: a scoping review and Delphi method study. BMC Med Ed. 2022;22(1):129
ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education

Connect with Don
Twitter #cmechat or #meded
Blog: Occasional posts on CME-related topics

Connect with Alex

Support the show

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Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

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Straight Talk: CME/CE as an Ally for LGBTQIA+ Health

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 18:00:00 -0700

According to a 2022 Gallup poll, the percentage of adults in the US who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual has doubled in the last decade, and stands at 7.1%.

1 in 5 Gen Z adults identify as LGBT.

But health disparities persist among people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or asexual and more (LGBTQA+).

And discrimination against LGBTQA+ people is a key social determinant of health that is linked with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse,and suicide. Discrimination is evident even as people in LGBTQA+ communities navigate healthcare.

My guest this episode is Dena Silva, an educator with a passion for creating education that enables clinicians to address the healthcare needs of LGBTQA+ communities. Dena is CME Director for an association management organization which includes oversight of 4 medical societies in California.

We talked about:

✔️ How to work with experts who really know about the challenges facing LGBTQA+ patients in health care

✔️ The role of education in supporting providers who are working with LGBTQA+ patients

✔️ What providers need to know in order to meet the health care needs of LGBTQA+ patients

✔️ Strategies to build more representative and inclusive education programs

✔️ How skilled facilitators are an asset

Straight Talk as a Starting Point

Sometimes the conversation was tricky (failing forward!). It's straight talk, after all, rather than talk among people who are LGBTQA+. We recognize that this conversation may be filled with things that we stumbled over.

But as Dena reminded me, in order to show up as an ally for LGBTQA+-affirming CME/CE, we need to learn how be sensitive about the ways we represent ourselves, the language we use, and the assumptions we make about who people are and what they need from healthcare providers. We welcome feedback for our own learning journey so we can improve the way we communicate about this topic and better advocate for LGBTQA+ health needs.

The CME community has an opportunity to create education programs that increase awareness around health disparities for LGBTQA+ patients and that equip clinicians with tools to have a conversation with their patients about how they would like to be addressed and what they need from their health care providers. CME/CE can offer a safe space for clinicians to mess up, to say the wrong thing, and to find a way to course correct in curious, compassionate, non-judgmental ways.

Without education leading the way, many clinicians will opt to not have this conversation at all.

Resources
Fenway Institute
National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Promoting Equi

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Recipes for Animating CME/CPD

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 18:00:00 -0700

Jayzona Alberto EdD, MS began her continuing healthcare education career by working on curricula for dentists and other clinicians before transitioning to the Stanford University School of Medicine, where she currently serves as Assistant Director of Continuing Medical Education.

Jayzona and her team work with e-learning tools such as animations, and in this episode she walks us through the process of creating an animation from start to finish. We discuss the importance of building relationships with the faculty who inform education content, the resources for CME that an institution such as Stanford can provide, and the potential for changing clinical practice that well designed CME/CPD fosters.

Other topics we discussed include:

Differences in assessing knowledge versus assessing clinical change
The importance of cultivating soft skills as both a clinician and an education provider
How online education is changing the parameters of what is possible in CME
And how to raise the visibility of CME within clinical or academic organizations.

Resources
Septris

Connect with Jayzona
Email: jayzona.alberto@stanford.edu
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
www.alexhowson.com
Email: alex@alexhowson.com
LinkedIn

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP
Shownotes: Emma Kolakowski
Sound: SuZen Marie

You can support the podcast via Buy Me a Coffee!

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Corralling Content for Multimodal Continuing Healthcare Education

Tue, 17 May 2022 01:00:00 -0700

On this episode of Write Medicine, my guest is Dr. Eve Wilson CHCP, FACEHP (she/her), a medical writer with deep expertise who helped me get started in the field.

While Eve is primarily a creator of continuing medical education resources, she also holds a PhD in microbiology, and uses her analytical background to inform her present-day work. As Medical Director at PlatformQ Health, Eve integrates new learning concepts with the more traditional didactic experiences to design a meaningful journey for the learner that leads to new insights as a result of their learning experience.

In this episode, we talk about career origins, and the significance of “story” in a seemingly facts-only field. We talk about the creation of curricula, how to find balance variation of content and format, and how to create and implement multimodal ways of learning.

Other topics covered in this conversation include how Eve:

✔️ Started in medical writing and what she tells aspiring writers
✔️ Preps for continuing education projects
✔️ Gauges audience needs and adapts content accordingly

Resources

NBME Item Writing Guide
Downloadable Planning Tool for Developing Multimodal CME
Eve is running a professional workshop on Preparing CME Materials: Concepts, Strategies, and Ethical Issues, AMWA 2022 Conference: November 4 2022

Connect with Eve
e: ewilson@platformq.com
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
e: alex@alexhowson.com
LinkedIn
Website

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD, CHCP
Shownotes: Emma Kolakowski
Sound: SuZen Marie

Support the podcast

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Scaffolding Behavioral Change

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 23:00:00 -0700

Brian McGowan PhD, FACEP planned to be the team orthopedic surgeon for Notre Dame football. After a month of working in an orthopedic rehab hospital when he was in college, he realized that he didn't know what he wanted to be when he grew up, but it wasn't going to be a physician.

Lucky then for us.

Brian has worked in academic, industry, and is co-founder of ArcheMedX. But the places he's been do not mark who Brian is. It's his passion for behavioral science, learning science, and research into medical education methodology that make him inimitable in the field of continuing education for health professionals.

Join us for a conversation about what continuing education practitioners can do to help learners think more efficiently and effectively. Points of interest include:

✔️ Which root skills are most important for CME storytellers
✔️ What the Ebbinghaus experiment is in learning science
✔️ How physical environments affect learning
✔️ Brian’s love for the three-slide-per-page print option for PowerPoints

Resources

Brian’s reading list
Alter A. Drunk Tank Pink and Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave. NY: Penguin, 2013.
McGowan B. #SocialQI: Simple Solutions for Improving Your Healthcare. 2012.
Milkman KL, et al. Megastudies improve the impact of applied behavioral science. Nature. 2021;600:478-483.
Murre JMJ, Dros J. Replication and analysis of Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve. PLOS One. 2015; 10(7): e0120644. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0120644
Roediger HL, III. Remembering Ebbinghaus. Cont Psych. 1985;30(7):519-523.

Connect with Brian
ArcheMedX
Twitter
LinkedIn
email: brian@archemedx.com

Connect with Alex
Twitter
LinkedIn
email: alex@alexhowson.com

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Ghostwriter: Who? What? How?

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 21:00:00 -0700

Today we're talking about ghostwriting. Not the ghostwriting that has been loaded with negative associations within medical writing circles for many years but a different kind of ghostwriting. The kind that gets your business to business or business to consumer book out the door. My guest, Wendy Meyeroff, has been ghostwriting for many years and is here to share what she has learned about what is is, how it has changed, who can benefit from the support of a ghostwriter, and what to look for when you are thinking of hiring a ghost writer.

If you didn't know about the world of ghostwriting before this episode, I think you'll agree that there's a lot to mull over here. If you need a writer to help you write a B2B or B2C book or other materials, you can learn more about how to hire a ghostwriter at Wendy's website, to which I've included a link in the show notes, as well as Claudia Suzanne's website, ghostwritertraining.com

Even if you are still on the fence about the value and credibility of ghostwriting, Wendy shares a wealth of detail about the craft of writing, its role in educating audiences, examples from ghostwriters who work in particular genres, like memoir, and a long list of resources on tools of the trade and where to find training.

Resources

Smithsonian Magazine

American Medical Writers Association

Council of Science Editors

Editorial Freelancers Association

Claudia Suzanne

Claudia Suzanne Ghost Writing Course

Derek Lewis

Lorraine Nash

Military Writers Society of America

Mark Agnew

Connect with Wendy: Email, LinkedIn

Host: Alexandra Howson PhD

Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie

Shownotes: Linzy Carothers

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Making the Match: Building Professional Identity after Residency

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 20:00:00 -0700

Brenda Thompson is my guest on this episode of the podcast. Brenda has a background in counseling and education and is a longtime professional in the graduate medical education space. For the last year or so, Brenda has been working as a resident and fellow liaison, educating residents who are transitioning into practice about topics such as how to negotiate a physician's contract, how to prepare for the interview process, and how to form their professional identity for the community, their patients, and their colleagues.

Join the conversation to learn from Brenda about:

The role of the physician liaison
How Brenda and her colleagues teach newly minted physicians to stand out from the crowd, establish networks, create relationships, and negotiate contracts
How continuing education can educate established physicians about the business side of medicine
The need for health and well-being education for residents and fellows

Resources
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
American Medical Association
NIH Valerian Root & Lemon Balm Tea Study
Graduate Medical Education re[Think] re[Claim] re[Design] re[Create]: Memoir and Call to Action

Connect
Brenda: Twitter, Secondary Twitter, LinkedIn, Secondary LinkedIn
Alex: Twitter, LinkedIn, website

🗞️ Biweekly newsletter (with bonus content from Season #1)

Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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The Utility of Social Media in Continuing Healthcare Education

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 19:00:00 -0700

Allison Kickel is Founder & President of Bonum CE. I kept coming across Allison at meetings and via LinkedIn posts and knew I wanted to have a conversation with her. She's smart—that goes without saying—as well as funny and warm. Most discernibly she thinks outside of the box and is unafraid to both challenge convention and try new things. It's perhaps unsurprising then that she has a background in visual arts—photography and design—and uses this to full effect in the context of designing education for consumption via a range of channels including learning management systems and social media.

Join us to explore the benefits of:

✅ Appreciation for design in education
✅ Thought diversity
✅ Social media based continuing education

Book Recommendations
The Overstory
The Language of Kindness

Resources
American College of Gastroenterology
Global Education Group
Project ECHO
@MondayNightIBD
Episode 2 of Write Medicine on Design Thinking with Dr. Andrew Chacko

Connect with Allison: Twitter, Secondary Twitter, LinkedIn
Connect with Alex: LinkedIn, www.alexhowson.com

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Punchline! Humor and Facilitated Learning in Continuing Healthcare Education

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0700

This episode's guest is no stranger to many of you in the world of continuing healthcare education. Lawrence Sherman FACEHP, CHCP is president of Meducate Global, LLC and describes himself as a learning facilitator, a global educator, and an education futurist. He is deeply committed to lifelong learning and to humor as a learning tool.

Join us for a conversation that touches on:

Needs assessments as a continuum
Skills required for moderation and collaboration
Controversy about learning styles
Importance of context in teaching and learning

Resources

Association for Medical Education in Europe

American Association of Psychiatry

European CME Forum

LinkedIn CME Group

Meducate Global LLC

Connect with Lawrence: Twitter, LinkedIn

See Lawrence's TEDx Talk

Connect with Alex

Podcast Team

Host: Alexandra Howson PhD

Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie

Shownotes: Linzy Carothers

Support the show

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

⭐ Review the podcast

🗞️ Biweekly Newsletter with tips and resources to enrich your CME content niche

➡️ Join WriteCME Pro for ongoing professional development

🌐 Podcast website

🎙️ Share the podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Story Intelligence: Enabling Learning through the Powers of Story

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0700

We tell ourselves stories in order to live, as Joan Didion wrote in The White Album.

We talk a lot about the importance of story on this podcast, and about storytelling as a portal to learning. In today's episode, we get to learn from a storytelling master.

Rick Stone, CEO of StoryWork International, has spent a lifetime crafting stories in many sectors, including healthcare. He is the co-creator of StoryCare, a web-based product to help healthcare organizations improve patient safety and support team-based health professional education. He also created the Living Stories program for Novant Health, which supports patients in telling their life stories in service of improving their health outcomes.

Rick is the co-author of Story Intelligence: Master Story, Master Life. I think you are in for a treat in this episode. Our conversation touched on:

The role of literature and art in cultivating empathy in medical professionals
The power of emotional intelligence
The narrative structure of the brain and how story is a powerful reagent to rewire the brain and help us learn new perspectives and points of view
The difference between case studies and stories

Resources

Story Intelligence

The Healing Art of Storytelling

Every Patient Tells a Story

Columbia University Narrative Medicine Program

Howard Gardner at Harvard

Connect with Rick, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Connect with Alex

Subscribe to the Write Medicine newsletter for bonus material.

Be first-in-line when doors open to qualitative research trainings.

Support the show

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

⭐ Review the podcast

🗞️ Biweekly Newsletter with tips and resources to enrich your CME content niche

➡️ Join WriteCME Pro for ongoing professional development

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Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Adult Learning in a Virtual World: Instructional Design and E-Learning

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 18:00:00 -0700

One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the massive shift from live meetings and education to virtual formats and the longer term implications of this shift is an ongoing conversation in the continuing healthcare education world. The 2020 ACCME Annual Report noted that online activities engaged most learners compared with live courses and regularly scheduled series, the dominant activity types in preceding years.

The shift to online education is itself not new in the US although its expansion has been patchy and there are several factors that pose barriers to the development and implementation of online learning, such as time constraints, poor technical skills, inadequate infrastructure, absence of institutional strategies and support and negative attitudes.

As a result of these barriers, as well as the impact of the evolving science of learning, the demand for instructional designers in continuing healthcare education is increasing. One study predicts that by 2025, there will be a 28% in ID jobs in education.

But what do instructional designers do and what is their role in continuing healthcare education? My guest today Jessica Martello answers those questions. As VP of of content and editorial at EVERFI, a digital education company, Jessica brings deep expertise to the potential of instruction design in adult learning.

Join us to hear more about:

The key components of an effective digital learning platform
Key factors to optimize digital learning platforms
How to assess learning outcomes in digital education
Challenges that adults experience in relation to online learning

Resources
EVERFI
On Being with Krista Tippett: Ariel Berger—Be a Blessing
Instructional Design Resources from ACCME
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). ACCME Data Report. Rising to the Challenge in Accredited Continuing Education—2020.
Love LM, Anderson MC, Haggar FL. Strategically integrating instructional designers in medical education. Academic Medicine. 2019;94:146.
Snell L, Son D, Onishi H. Instructional Design. Applying Theory to Practice. In Swanwick T, Forrest K, O’Brien BC (eds) Understanding Medical Education: Evidence, Theory, and Practice. Third Edition. 2018. London: Wiley.

Connect with Jessie
Connect with Alex

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Linzy Carothers

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Mentoring You, Mentoring Me: Reciprocity and Relationship

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 23:00:00 -0700

My guest on episode 16 of Write Medicine is Greselda Butler, a health education professional who works at Otsuka. Greselda lives her passion for educating and leading others toward their passion. IN this episode, we talk about mentoring—what is is, its benefits for both mentor and mentee, and how to find and structure mentoring opportunities.

Resources

Goldfarb Institute

Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions

Healthcare Business Women's Association

The Alliance’s Pilot Mentoring Program launched in October 2020

https://hbr-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/hbr.org/amp/2021/05/what-great-mentorship-looks-like-in-a-hybrid-workplace

Townsend B. Mentoring Virtually: A Timely Benefit for Alliance Members

Johnson-Bailey J, Cervero R. Mentoring in black and white: the intricacies of cross‐cultural mentoring. Sociology. 2007: 7-21

Connect with Greselda

Twitter: @aCMEstory

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/greseldabutler

Podcast Team

Host: Alexandra Howson PhD

Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie

Shownotes: Linzy Carothers

Support the show

📍Grab the WriteCME Roadmap

⭐ Review the podcast

🗞️ Biweekly Newsletter with tips and resources to enrich your CME content niche

➡️ Join WriteCME Pro for ongoing professional development

🌐 Podcast website

🎙️ Share the podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Cultivating a Craftsman Mindset in Continuing Healthcare Education

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0700

Anne Jacobson MSPharm, CHCP is an independent writer who has been specializing in healthcare professional education since 1999.

We recorded our conversation in May 2021. For Anne and many colleagues in continuing healthcare education, the last 18 months or so has been a time of taking stock and reflection on what we want the next phases of our careers to look like.

We discuss this process of reflection and the path it leads to questions about how we find fulfillment in work and life.

As many guests on Write Medicine have shared, there are so many different stories of how we found our way into medical writing and medical education.

Anne observes that across all these different stories is a consistent theme: most of us didn’t follow a pre-existing passion for medical writing or continuing healthcare education; we discovered it while we were on the road to other things.

But what many people share in this space is what Cal Newport calls a craftsman mindset.

We explore:

✔️ How does a person get good at what they do?

✔️What does craftsmanship look like?

✔️ How do we keep things interesting in our work and create the life we want?

Resources

✔️ Continuing Medical Education (CME)

✔️ American Medical Writers Association Conference

✔️ National Association of Science Writers

✔️ Cal Newport Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown

o Deep Work

o So Good

o Digital Minimalism

o Craftsman Mindset

✔️ International Society for Medical Publication Professionals

✔️ National Association for Health Care Quality

✔️ CME Palooza

✔️ UC San Diego Medical Writing Certificate Program

✔️ American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Writing Certificate Program

Connect with Anne: LinkedIn and Twitter

Connect with Alex

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Host: Alexandra Howson PhD

Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie

Shownotes: Linzy Carothers

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Humanizing Learning—Getting into the Skin of Your Learners

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 23:00:00 -0700

My guest is Dr. Elizabeth Franklin, Associate Professor in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Elizabeth teaches research, communications, and health policy for the doctorate in health administration degree program. Elizabeth shares her considerable knowledge about online learning and interprofessional learning in the state of Mississippi and draws on a deep well of teaching in high school, community college and university settings. She shares strategies to support engagement in online learning and gets into the nitty gritty of software integrations that make online interactions fun.

Resources

School of Health Related Professions
CEA Office
Alliance for continuing education in the health professions
Quality Matters
Alliance Learning Lab
Nearpod
Knowima
HCHAPS Scores
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Connect with Elizabeth
Connect with Alex

Podcast Team

Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Linzy Carothers

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Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 22:00:00 -0700

Karen Overstreet EdD, RPh, FACEHP, CHCP, Vice President, Scientific and Educational Affairs for Medical Learning Institute, Inc. is here to talk about her journey into educating health professionals and some of the things she thinks are important to support effective communication in the education field.

These include:

* Skills you need for staying power in CME/CPD
* The science of learning
* Creative ways to measure outcomes
* Formats for delivering education to clinicians
* How to build interactivity into text
* Parsing education materials for specific kinds of clinicians
* The pressing need for wider professional development

Resources

Medical Learning Institute, Inc
Facebook: @mliace
Instagram: @medicallearninginstitute
LinkedIn: @medical-learning-institute-inc
Twitter: @mli_ace

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards

Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHSOIG) Guidance

Connect with Karen: LinkedIn
Connect with Alex: ThistleEditorial.com

Breath Awareness Audio File
Newsletter

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Linzy Carothers

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Season 2 Trailer

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 23:00:00 -0700

Hello and welcome to Write Medicine. I’m your host Alex Howson and I use She/her pronouns. I wanted to jump in and introduce myself to those of you who may be new to the podcast and also share a summary of topics that you might have missed and season season one so that it’s easy peezy to go back and download those episodes for your library.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and/or leave a review on your podcast listening platform.

And if you’re interested in receiving alerts about what’s coming up next, as well as a summary of resources and tools that our guests have shared, why not sign up for our biweekly newsletter.

As a gift, you'll receive a summary of top tips and tools from Season 1 to elevate your education content.

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Addressing Clinician Burnout Through Mindfully Designed Education

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 22:00:00 -0700

As a yoga teacher who loves to share tools like mindful movement, breath awareness, and stillness to help people cultivate rest and resilience in their lives, I’m beyond delighted to share episode 12 of Write Medicine with you.

My guest is Donna Gabriel, the Senior Director of Global Education at Med-IQ. Donna is currently pursuing doctorate in Mindful Leadership in Healthcare and is an advocate for mental health in general and reducing clinician burnout in particular. Donna talks about why so many clinicians are exhausted and discusses the importance of mindfully-designed education that not only supports clinician wellbeing but also boosts learning.

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The Power of Multimodality Simulation in Continuing Healthcare Education

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Martin Warters MA Ed. Tech, CHSE is Head of Education Development Management at Pfizer. Today he shares his expertise on how we can leverage simulation technology in clinical learning and continuing healthcare education. He talks about the power of narrative design to buttress the patient's story, and how to creatively craft pathways for effective learning.

Resources
High fidelity simulation
AR/VR
Lev Vygotsky and the zone of proximal development
Narrative Medicine at Columbia
Narrative design
Conceptual frameworks in medical simulation
Simulation in adult learning
https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Connect with Martin: LinkedIn
Connect with Alex: Thistleeditorial.com

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Anna Codina

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Every Word Must Count

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:00:00 -0700

Adrienne Stevens, EdD, MBA, Vice President and Head of Scientific Strategy at Healio Strategic Solutions shares how her passion for dance, and her interest in the mechanics of movement, physical therapy, anatomy, and physiology has translated into a career as a medical communicator. Dance requires precision, and that’s what Adrienne practices in her work.

Welcoming Adrienne Stevens, PhD in physiology, to the podcast

[00:02] Some of the things Adrienne learned in the process of writing her dissertation that fuel her approach in healthcare communication.

[00:04] Some of the key differences Adrienne sees between scientific writing and business writing.

[00:09] Key types of communication that work with physicians and other healthcare workers.

[00:13:25] The importance of motivational interviewing.

[0015:29] Differences in the kind of education strategy and format that MSLs respond to compared with clinicians.

[00:18:22] Are we interactive enough in the education we design?

[00:20:36] Communication in obesity education.

Resources
Healio Strategic Solutions
Performing Health
Motivational interviewing

Connect with Adrienne: LinkedIn
Connect with Alex: Thistleeditorial.com

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Anna Codina

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Zoom Fatigue, Instructional Design, and Relatable Content

Mon, 24 May 2021 15:00:00 -0700

Introduction

Amanda Kaczerski, ATC, MS, CHCP is Vice Principal of Educational Strategy at the Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning. We first met at the beginning of 2020, feels like 100 years ago now, when we both co-presented as faculty in a prep course for the Alliance's CHCP exam. I'm delighted to have her on the show today, we're going to talk about instructional design, and geek out a little bit and some of those instructional design parameters.

Chapters
00:04:19 From field sales to learning design

00:06:11 Pay attention to clinician goals

00:11:00 Dealing with online fatigue

00:14:55 Addressing the "shiny objects"

00:19:46 Changes in how people approach education design

00:22:24 Leveraging a range of virtual learning approaches for CME/CPD

00:27:15 Key Take Aways

Connect with Amanda: LinkedIn
Connect with Alex: Thistleeditorial.com

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Anna Codina

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Entertainment and Edge in Education for Health Professionals

Fri, 07 May 2021 21:00:00 -0700

Introduction
Monique Johnson MD is the Medical Director at Physicians' Education Resource and has more than 20 years in the CME field. Monique shares some of the challenges clinicians face when they're in the healthcare industry, why she's passionate about having better education within this field, and how to overcome common structural barriers in healthcare that block health professionals from learning.

Chapters

[02:03] A little bit about Monique and how she got started in the medical education field.

[06:37] Monique shares some of the challenges she had on the administration side of things when she was in the medical field.

[11:20] Monique gives an example of how education can address structural healthcare barriers.

[14:54] Some 'common facts' that medical professionals use and reference all the time can actually be outdated or flat out not true.

[18:00] The value of education on social determinants of health.

[21:40] What has changed in 2020 and 2021 on how to best approach training clinicians?

[27:22] How should the CME industry best help their clinicians?

Resources
Williams DR, Cooper LA. Reducing racial inequities in health: Using what we already know to take action. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(4):606.

Brewer LC et al. Association of race consciousness with the patient-physician relationship, medication adherence, and blood pressure in urban primary care patients. Am J Hypertens. 2013;26(11):14-152.

Connect with Monique: Gotoper.com & LinkedIn
Connect with Alex: Thistleeditorial.com

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Anna Codina

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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We’re Going to Make Mistakes. What’s Your Contingency Plan?

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:00:00 -0700

Summary
Steve Powell DHA is the CEO and Founder of Synensys Global and is a recognized leader in performance improvement. He has led programs in the US Navy, commercial airline industry, and the healthcare industry for more than 30 years and is passionate about patient safety, quality control, and patient-centered care improvements.

Steve shares what he learned in safety when he was a Navy Pilot and how these experiences crossover nicely into the medical industry. He also shares his thoughts on what makes a team successful when it comes to patient handoffs, and the 5 key principles to a high-reliability organization.

Resources
Institute of Medicine
TeamSTEPPS
Kohn KT, Corrigan JM, Donaldson MS, eds. To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System. Washington, DC: Committee on Quality Health Care in America, Institute of Medicine: National Academy Press; 1999.
Nash D, Beliveau ME. Two lessons hospitals can learn from their COVID response. MedPage Today. Dec 7, 2020.

Connect with Steve: Synensysglobal.com + LinkedIn
Connect with Alex: Thistleeditorial.com + LinkedIn

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Anna Codina

Support the show

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

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Leading from the Middle

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 16:00:00 -0700

Introduction
Today my guest is Nina Taylor, Vice President of Learning and Education at American Society for Radiation Oncology. I first met Nina Taylor in 2018 at an Alliance Quality and Innovation Summit in Park City, Utah. She and Andrew Chacko, who was a guest in episode 2 of Write Medicine, were presenters in a session on designing innovative education programs. Nina talks about her work in continuing education and how she uses active listening, social learning, and a sense of fun to create immersive and accessible education for healthcare clinicians.

Ley Take Aways

* How Nina got started in CME.

* What really goes behind the scenes in building out engaging adult learning materials.

* Nina challenges you to think about your leadership ethos.

* Nina shares what her experience was like working in several different medical societies and some of the key takeaways she’s learned over the years.

* When you’re in an association or a society, you’re seen as a peer and medical faculty are happy to help you because everyone is fighting for the same team.

* How does the American Society for Radiation Oncology approach clinician education?

* Nina shares some of the challenges she faced trying to incorporate virtual technology into her department.

* What does a dynamic and immersive educational experience look like? Nina shares some examples.

* Covid is hard for everyone right now. Humans are social creatures and we need connection.

* Nina believes every meeting should have a virtual component. It just opens the doors to so many people who weren’t able to come before due to financial or geographical restraints.

* Virtual is here to stay! Education in any form is always a positive.

* What should practitioners be thinking about when it comes to the future of the CME field?

* We really have to practice what we preach. Sometimes our learning materials are so dry and dull!

* What is the Psychiatric Innovation Lab all about?

* What’s Nina looking forward to in 2021?

Summary
Nina's experience at an HBCU gave her direct exposure to a dynamic learning environment filled with opportunities to teach and facilitate that she has been able to pull into her professional life and use to support her work with faculty. And her leadership style of leading from the middle is invested in uplifting team members, elevating their skills, and fostering an ecosystem of sharing information and a climate in which team members take ownership of their own work, and not the work that someone else has determined for them.

The parallel here for me is adult learning. How many programs in CME/CPD really allow learners to take ownership of their own learning? And to what extent does the shift to a virtual learning open a door to that kind of experience? Nina is clear that it is possible to craft dynamic, immersive, experiences that offer room for learners to curate their own learning in a virtual environment that has a clear esthetic design, rapid interactive activities, and networking opportunities. She's also clear that

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Transformational Learning in Medicine and Beyond

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 21:00:00 -0700

Regina Sih-Meynier is an authentic leader with expertise in developing and executing strategic plans for Medical Affairs. She is passionate about ensuring patients receive the best available healthcare and she leverages her intuitive sense, her ability to identify problems, and her creativity to create systems and processes to solve those problems. She has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field and understands the importance of demonstrating impact in patient care.

Regina talks with Alex about how to create education content that supports authentic empowerment and transformational learning.

Key Takeaways

[0:55] How did Regina get involved in medical education? Like so many of us in this field, her career path wasn’t exactly linear.

[4:20] What is authentic empowerment?

[6:25] Regina loves to use her intuitive sense to guide her in writing highly educational and engaging patient materials.

[7:25] Tapping into your intuition is something corporate likes to stay away from because you can’t exactly see it or touch it. However, you’re missing out on a whole superpower if you ignore it.

[9:35] How can you tap into your intuition and really listen to your inner voice?

[13:30] There’s a real art to developing care that is both science-based and gut-based.

[14:15] Why does corporate like to avoid people’s intuition?

[18:35] Glennon Doyle’s inner voice. Ideas and solutions have their own energy. Regina explains what she means by this.

[22:00] Regina shares what she’s learned from working with a life coach and how it’s given her a new way to approach and solve problems.

[25:00] What is Regina’s company, Oh Universe, about?

[29:25] What are some of the benefits of taking on a more authentic empowerment stance in the medical education space?

[32:40] Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not real! We don’t always have all the answers.

[34:25] Regina shares her morning rituals.

Resources
Connect with Regina: www.oh-universe.com, LinkedIn, Facebook
Doyle G. Untamed. The Dial Press. 2020.
Gilbert E. Big Magic. CreativeLiving Beyond Fear. Riverhead Books. 2016.
Gladwell M. The Tipping Point. Bay Back Books, 2002.
Sih-Meynier R. An opportunity for organizational leaders and decision-makers to step in and protect the well-being of their people. Thrive Global. October 4, 2020.
Thaler RH, Sunstein CR.

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Writing Medical Case Studies: The Details Matter

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:00:00 -0700

Scott Kober MBA is the Managing Partner of Excalibur Medical Education, which launched in January 2021. He has more than two decades of experience designing and developing content for CME activities and provides high-quality innovative education for today's healthcare providers. In this episode, Scott underscores the different aspects writers need to think about when developing medical content, especially if they do not have a medical or science background. Scott also shares some of his tried and true tips on how to create engaging medical pieces that are simple and easy to understand.

Key Takeaways

A little bit about Scott and how he got involved in this field.
How has medical education evolved since the early 2000s?
Scott defines what adult learning looks like in healthcare and how it slightly differs in other industries.
What are some industry best practices out there where we can drive home the core message of ‘what does this all mean’?
Writers love to show people how smart they are and reference as many medical guides as possible, but that’s not helpful!
How can writers get better at creating more relevant content for their audience, especially if they don’t have a science or medical background?
Scott shares some advice on how to develop a case study that’s helpful to your readers.
How much style or personality can you have when writing these very educational and often serious materials?
Scott’s content development process.
Don’t get intimidated by the different content platforms out there. Everyone starts somewhere.
People underestimate how challenging medical content is, so it’s important to educate your higher ups on what actually goes into creating these pieces.

Resources
Thistleeditorial.com
CMEpalooza
Connect with Scott: Excalibur Medical Education & LinkedIn
Get access to Write Medicine podcast updates—and more—with Thistle Insights.

Quotes

“What does it all mean? This can be challenging because we are not health care professionals, we’re not the ones seeing these patients. So we have to take our best guess and work with our faculty.”

“Make your materials interesting. No one wants to sit through the monotony of study and data. You got to figure out a way to translate the information in a way that’s going to resonate with people.”

“If you can be entertaining and still get your message across, that’s going to be the perfect way to do it. However, it doesn’t come naturally to a lot of people.”

Podcast Team
Host: Alexandra Howson PhD
Sound Engineer: Suzen Marie
Shownotes: Anna Codina

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify

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Mentioned in this episode:

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Plain Language Patient Education

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0700

Dr. Genevieve Long is a medical writer and editor specializing in patient education, plain language, health literacy and marketing communications. She began her medical writing career as a manuscript editor at Oregon Health & Science University and has more than 25 years of healthcare experience. Dr. Genevieve has been active in the American Medical Writers Association since 2002 and is the past president of AMWA-Northwest. She also teaches at the University of Chicago Graham School on the subjects of medical writing and editing.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Long shares:

How she got into this specialized field
Better ways to practice patient empathy, and
What healthcare professionals need to focus on first when it comes to creating educational content.

Key Takeaways

[3:38] A little bit about Dr. Genevieve and how she got into the field of patient education.

[9:02] Dr. Genevieve shares what people need to be thinking about when they begin to write patient education materials.

You might not realize it, but you have a lot of power and what you do/say can hurt the patient.

For many health care professionals, the world of medicine is a comfortable place. For patients and their loved ones, it is not. It’s a traumatic experience for them.

[13:16] When it comes to creating content, you want to focus on the most important content first. People have short attention spans!

Get clear on what’s a ‘need to know’ vs. a ‘nice to know’.

Should all of your words be short? Dr. Genevieve says no, but spacing plays a big role in readability.

When it comes to adult learning, the more you’re engaged and interacting with the content, the better of an understanding you’ll get. Dr. Genevieve tries to incorporate this principal into her classes.

[19:19] Patients who are engaged with their own healthcare journey tend to do better in their recovery.

When faculty talks about ‘empowerment’, what do they really mean when it comes to patient education?

[22:31] How are educators and providers thinking about information sharing and content creation in today’s landscape?

[25:09] Dr. Genevieve shares the different types of materials she’s worked on over the years to make content more digestible. Informational videos are doing exceedingly well.

[30:00] What resources are out there that content creators can leverage when creating simple and easy to understand patient education materials?

[33:45] Dr. Genevieve shares her tips on building a more empathic approach to her writing.

Spend time with patients! Your materials will immensely improve.

[37:25] The more people we can bring into science, the less fear people might have on certain medical procedures.

[40:00] What don’t we do enough of in patient education? Dr. Genevieve shares her thoughts on usability testing.

Resources

Thistleeditorial.com
Connect with Dr. Genevieve: Bridgehealthcomm.com

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This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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Design Thinking in Clinician Education

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0700

My conversation today is with Dr. Andrew Chacko, a psychiatrist and leader in healthcare innovation. Andrew uses his medical experience to teach others how to become design thinkers using cognitive, strategic and practical processes by which design concepts (proposals for new products, buildings, machines, etc.) are developed. He is passionate about transforming healthcare into the vital, rewarding, and life-changing practice that it can be for patient, provider, and support professionals alike.

Show Notes/Highlights

[04:43] - Design thinking applied to problems in healthcare.

[09:37] - Design thinking and problems caused for healthcare by COVID-19.

[14:16] - How does design thinking get systems (and leaders within) to start thinking about the people who support those systems?

[19:10] - The synergy between design thinking and other ongoing healthcare initiatives e.g., CME/CPD.

[31:18] - The application of design thinking to clinician education.

Where to connect with Andrew

WEBSITE: https://www.drchacko.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/chacko_md/?hl=en

Here’s the Medium story Andrew mentioned.

Articles on Design Thinking in Medical Education

Sandars J, Goh P-S. Design Thinking in Medical Education: The Key Features and Practical Application. J Med Ed Curr Devel. 2020. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2382120520926518

Gottlieb M, Wagner E, Wagner A, et al. Applying Design Thinking Principles to Curricular Development in Medical Education. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/aet2.10003

McLaughlin J, Wolcott MD, Hubbard D, et al. A qualitative review of the design thinking framework in health professions education. BMC Medical Education. 2019;19(98): https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1528-8

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Creativity and Failure in CME/CPD

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0700

Audrie Tornow is Managing Partner at Excalibur Medical Education. We talked about the role of creativity, intentionality, and failure in designing education content for clinicians in healthcare.

01:27 Introductions with Audrie Tornow

02:31 Audrie talks about her beginnings and journey into medical education: No one majored in CME…

04:34 Does anyone remember transparencies?

05:50 How has your background in English informed the way you approach education design and delivery?

“When we plan education, it has become something where everything has a purpose because cost is affiliated with it. Planning it out and knowing what we want, starting with the end in mind, has become more critical than ever.”

07:23 How do you personally define good learning for adults, especially for those working in healthcare?

09:23 What’s your sense of what learners are looking for in their education during the COVID-19 pandemic?

“We talk about online fatigue, but right now so many providers and partners out there are seeing larger metrics than ever in online activities. And so, we’re showing we’re versatile. We’re showing we can adapt.”

14:11 What are some of the shifts you’ve seen in the last few months that really try to creatively engage with a) where learners are and the challenges they may be facing in their personal lives and b) getting around that virtual approach?

18:06 How was the ability of educators within the CME world changed in order to prepare them to work more fluidly and intimately with partners?

21:53 How effective do you think our field is in openly discussing failure?

“I think people think that demonstrating failure means you aren’t a trusted partner. That you aren’t a successful business. And that’s definitely a perception that’s valid, but I think there’s so much to be learned by saying ‘I tried this, here was the idea. And it didn’t work.’ And it might be that next partner that says, ‘Actually if you had just done this.’ They might be the missing piece.”

24:02 You talked about the potential reemergence of print as something that might be increasingly appealing to learners. Can you talk a little bit about that?

Resources

Eric Weiner. The Geography of Bliss. Twelve. 2009.

Transparencies

Results of the Alliance 2016 Environmental Scan. Almanac.

Ben and Jerry Flavor Graveyard

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. ACCME Data Report 2019.

Support the show

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