Continuing Medical Education - Mission
 

Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Continuing Medical Education is to assist physicians in their pursuit of life-long learning for their purpose of providing high quality health care. 

Means and Purpose
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is the sole academic medical center in the state of Arkansas.  It consists of five colleges and a graduate school sharing a common mission:  to teach, to heal, to search, and to serve the healthcare needs of the people of Arkansas.  The College of Medicine's Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) is central to this broad mission.  The major purpose of the OCME program is dissemination of state-of-the-art, evidence-based education that will allow practicing physicians opportunities to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills, and in the process, reaffirm their professional commitment to the provision of excellent health care. 

Content Area
The OCME collaborates with the faculty of the UAMS College of Medicine and other organizations including state agencies and medical professional societies to assess the educational needs of the state's physicians.  Most activities developed to meet these needs focus on clinical updates and new research findings pertinent to disease prevention and therapy.      

Target Audience
Educational activities are designed for practicing physicians whose work crosses the continuum of primary care, specialty care, and tertiary care.  Other health care professionals are welcomed to activities appropriate to their needs for education at the physician level.  Most participants are Arkansans though some activities include a national and international audience.        

Types of Activities Provided
The OCME offers a broad spectrum of educational activities utilizing a range of instructional methods that includes didactic lectures, symposia, demonstrations, interactive workshops, case-based conferences, interactive video conferences, and self-directed learning materials (e.g., enduring materials such as instructional videotapes, CDs, and printed documents). 

Expected Results of the Program
The activities sanctioned by the OCME will contribute to improve physician performance and enhance health care outcomes for the people of Arkansas by providing scientifically sound, timely, and accessible education.  The results of the educational program will be assessed using qualitative and quantitative measures for the purpose of its continued improvement.