The ESMO CME Program: How Practicing Oncologists Can Maintain their Knowledge in the E-Era? Certification and Recertification Opportunities

Abstract

The main objective of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) continuing medical education (CME) program is to set standards of clinical competence for practice in oncology and encourage the update of knowledge required for professional excellence over a lifetime of service. To guarantee the maintenance levels of knowledge and skills, as well as the improvement in attitudes to cancer care, ESMO has taken several educational initiatives: the ESMO examination; the ESMO medical oncology re-certification program; organisation and/or accreditation of congresses, partnership and joint conferences, supported and labelled courses/meetings. The ESMO flagship journal, Annals of Oncology is an important educational tool that publishes articles addressing multiple oncology disciplines and provides CME points to those who participate in the on-line CME quiz. Currently, ESMO focuses on fostering new challenging CME opportunities such as E-Learning modules and new development tools with an appealing content of high scientific and educational value for practicing oncologists.