Has the Coronavirus Affected How I Attain CEs?
Question: My state has relaxed its requirements to allow for more virtual training during the COVID-19 crisis. What should I keep in mind?
Posted in Coronavirus on Monday, August 31, 2020
Answer: Now may be a great time to catch up on your CEs without the time commitment of in-person seminars. Depending on your learning style, you may find online CEs are more engaging and efficient than live courses.
When selecting an online course, it’s helpful to know whether you’re a kinesthetic, visual, auditory or reading learner. Some online courses are more interactive; others instruct through videos or slideshows; while others rely mostly on reading.
The quality of the course material is also important. While newer information isn't always better, be leery of content with outdated references. You want to keep on top of new information.
Connecting with peers and experts tends to be more difficult with online learning, but it’s not impossible. Some distance learning programs use platforms like Zoom or GoToMeetings that enable attendees to interact with each other and the instructor. Gathering with other chiropractors, albeit online, reminds us that we have a community of peers.
As with all continuing education, it may be easy to find a basic skills course to coast through and get re-licensure credits. That misses the point of CE. To actually improve patient safety and care, you must challenge yourself, stay engaged, and focus on the skills and information you need to become a better caregiver.
From a risk management perspective, when people feel like there is no more to learn, they stop believing in their fallibility. That can lead to a lack of diligence that’s dangerous for patients. Both online and in-person seminars help you improve patient care, grow your practice, connect with others in the field, maintain skills and stay on top of new information.
Licensing boards may require post-graduate levels of study and attendance verifications, but the onus is on you to keep growing and put patients first. It’s why chiropractic is more than a job; it’s a calling.
This article was developed with the assistance of the FCLB.