Study predicts more healthcare professionals will use online programs for continuing education
Posted on 3/17/2010
As the popularity of distance learning increases, individuals have been turning to graduate nursing programs to boost their qualifications and earnings potential. However, a new study has also found that an increasing number of physicians are using online programs for continuing education.
The study, released by Medical Directions, revealed that more than 50 percent of continuing medical education (CME) programs could be administered through online college courses by 2016, if the current trends continue.
By contrast, only about 9 percent of CME programs were offered online in 2008.
"We know that lots of health professionals are using the internet for ongoing education," said Dr John Harris, Jr., the study's lead author.
"But these analyses [show that we] can expect far more changes in how CME is developed, distributed, and probably paid for in the next 10 years than we have seen in the past 30," he added.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for physicians and surgeons is expected to increase by 22 percent over the next eight years. In 2008, physicians practicing primary care had total median annual compensation of $186,044, and physicians practicing in medical specialties earned total median annual compensation of $339,738.
The study, released by Medical Directions, revealed that more than 50 percent of continuing medical education (CME) programs could be administered through online college courses by 2016, if the current trends continue.
By contrast, only about 9 percent of CME programs were offered online in 2008.
"We know that lots of health professionals are using the internet for ongoing education," said Dr John Harris, Jr., the study's lead author.
"But these analyses [show that we] can expect far more changes in how CME is developed, distributed, and probably paid for in the next 10 years than we have seen in the past 30," he added.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for physicians and surgeons is expected to increase by 22 percent over the next eight years. In 2008, physicians practicing primary care had total median annual compensation of $186,044, and physicians practicing in medical specialties earned total median annual compensation of $339,738.
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