If you’re like the majority of people, anything with the word “free” in front of it seems tempting. But when it comes to continuing medical education (CME), is the free content worth the savings?
Professionals have long debated the merits of cost-free CME courses. There are several pros and cons associated with them, which are essential to understanding whether costless CME is right for you.
Check out the benefits and pitfalls of free CME below to learn more about whether it could be a beneficial addition to paid credits.
Pros
Free CME offers several benefits for people who need to meet licensure and certification requirements. Some of the pros include:
- Continued learning: Costless CME allows you to learn more about specific topics, so you can develop the skills you need to be successful.
- Budget savings: Since the content doesn’t cost any money, you can save your CME allowance for other courses. You can also access complimentary CME with your AMA, AAFP, or ACP membership.
- Flexible scheduling: Most free CME courses are online and short in duration, making them helpful for people with busy schedules. They are also often easily accessible across devices for on-the-go learning.
Although free CME can be useful, it’s crucial to look out for any potential pitfalls so you can make the most out of it.
Cons
As with anything free, sometimes things are too good to be true. While that’s not always the case with CME, it’s essential to avoid these potential issues:
- Credit amounts: Free CME courses are often worth fewer credits than paid options. That means you may have to invest time in many of them to meet your requirements, which doesn’t work for everyone.
- External influences: In some cases, CME courses are complimentary because another entity sponsors them. While this is not always a bad thing, some groups could use this to influence the content in their favor
- Limited topics: The topics covered in free CME tend to be limited. These trending or niche topics may not offer the comprehensive perspective you’re looking for.
- Credit tracking: Costless CME may provide a certificate, but the burden is on each practitioner to track and submit the credits. However, many paid CME providers will keep track of your credits for you or report them to the appropriate organizations.
- Quality: Some free CME courses have low production quality, which can make them unengaging. Paid CME, on the other hand, uses funds from the fees to pay for high-quality speakers and content.
Being aware of potential concerns can make it easier to find reputable CME that you can use toward your licensure requirements.
Things to Keep in Mind
Regardless of whether you choose free or paid CME, there are certain things to keep in mind to ensure they qualify for credits and meet your needs. These include:
- ACCME accreditation: CME providers should have ACCME accreditation to ensure their programs are high-quality, qualify for credits, and meet licensing standards.
- Credit requirements: Know what type of credits or topics you need to meet for your state or specialty medical boards. For example, you may need to earn a certain number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ or learn about specific topics like implicit bias.
- Reviews: Research what people think about the CME provider, whether free or paid. You could look at online reviews, social media comments, and forums. Or, if you know someone who has used that CME provider before, ask what they think.
With these reminders at the front of your mind, you can start looking for CME conferences or courses that fit your needs. Combine reputable free options with our affordable, high-quality CME conferences to get started!
