CME on MP3

MP3 players aren't just for teenagers downloading their favorite tunes — they're also for docs to download CME. At least, that's the hope of CME providers who are podcasting their audio CME content so healthcare providers can download an activity, plug it into an iPod or other MP3 device, and learn on the go.

“We started podcasting our content last July because, quite honestly, we thought it would be cool,” says Christopher Perez, managing partner, CME Outfitters LLC, Rockville, Md. “We knew how to do it, we're sitting on this mountain of digitized media, and we thought it would be pretty simple to put it into an RSS feed and turn it into a podcast.” Lon Osmond, vice president and executive editor with Audio-Digest Foundation, Glendale, Calif., says his organization began distributing some of its content through MP3 format earlier this year for similar reasons. “It's the sizzle factor,” he says. “We've always tracked the trends in the music industry, and making audio available in MP3 format was the way radio stations were getting information out. Since so much of our information is already digitized, it was a no-brainer.”

“The cool thing about podcasting is we can bundle PDFs in with the different activities,” says Perez. “So if it's an audioconference we're podcasting through an MP3 file, we can bundle in a PDF of the post test, the slides, the credit request forms, the evaluation forms, instructions — everything the docs need when they download the file.”

But are docs ready for podcast CME? Some are, say both Perez and Osmond, although it's not taking off like wildfire — yet. “Our numbers show that about 20 percent of our online audience have adopted podcasting, maybe not as their preferred format, but certainly as a regular format in which they get their CME,” says Perez.

While Osmond notes that anesthesiologists and emergency medicine practitioners took to Audio-Digest Foundation's MP3 downloads like ducks to water — they have been by far the early adopters of podcasting, he says — other types of physicians haven't been swarming to the podcast version of his company's CME offerings.

It may just be that it's one more technology to learn, and older physicians in particular might not want to take the time to learn how to set up the downloads, he says. Perez agrees that younger folks who are familiar with iPods for music downloading might be more likely to get their CME this way. Also, a lot of potential CME “podcastees” may want to stick with what they know, at least until their tape deck breaks or their organization offers more updated equipment.

“People need to feel a little more comfortable with it,” says Perez, which is why CME Outfitters' cmepodcasting.com Web site includes a primer on the technology. “We wanted to demystify it, show how easy it is,” he says. Osmond says his organization has trained its customer-service staff to understand the technology, so they can walk doctors through the basics.

“It's no different than the transition from tapes to CDs. This is just one of the next vehicles for delivering audio,” says Osmond. “It's irrelevant to us what they use; we're delivering the content in whatever medium the physician can access most easily.” Perez says, “We're always looking for ways to add value to what we're offering. Podcasting is a natural. Once people realize how easy it is to do, it'll be ubiquitous.”

RSS Share

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.


Acceptable Use Policy
blog comments powered by Disqus

Search 125,000+ Venues

Search Meeting Space

Find Event Venues with Cvent

The Meeting Planning Blog

NEW! Capsules Latest Posts

Sign Up for Our Free E-Newsletters



Meetings Collaborative

Rate your experience with meeting venues and suppliers.

Facility / Hotel

 
Powered by: Meetings Collaborative

Latest Webinar

Beyond Marketing: What Else Social Media Can Do for Your Meetings
Thursday, May 24 | 2-3 p.m. EST

Most associations know that online social networks can be handy tools to spread the word about their meetings and events. But social media can do so much more than market. Our social media expert will uncover ways you can leverage social media to discover the educational content your members are craving, engage and energize your community, build relationships, and even simplify your meeting processes. Register Now!

VIEW ALL ARCHIVED WEBINARS

Recent Comments

Powered by Disqus

Back to Top

Explore Our Newsletters

On Medical Meetings


Meeting Planner Survival Guide

Whether you're a novice planner or a veteran, this compilation of must-read articles is your meeting planning resource.

Must-See Meeting Files

Visit the MeetingsNet expert-advice site, where we’ve got top meeting pros on camera answering a variety of your questions as well as a collection of educational—and sometimes offbeat—editors’ pick lists — from the top tech tools to the best books for meeting professionals.

Suppliers/
Facilities/CVBs

MeetingsNet makes it easy to find the CVBs, tourist boards, and facilities you need for your next meeting.

Deal Finder

Special offers brought to you by MeetingsNet.

Find A Job

Targeted to all aspects of the hospitality and special events industry.

SMM PORTAL

Your source for Strategic Meetings Management info and intelligence

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   RSS Feed

Inside Current Issue

MM March 2012

March 2012

MM January 2012

Jan/Feb 2012

Nov/Dec 2011

Nov/Dec 2011

September/October 2011

July/August 2011

Browse Back Issues