Instructional designers are the architects of learning experiences. 

In this episode, Parker Grant PhD, the co-founder of IDLance, an instructional design freelance agency, discusses the learning process, how to use learners’ experiences to optimize education, and where instructional designers go for their story inspiration. 

Parker advises, “In adult learning, what's really important to know, is that all learning is experiential. What makes learning better is having a multifaceted approach, meaning you don't look at just any one mode of learning as the optimum, but the combination of many facets.”

To these ends, Parker uses concept maps to create learning experiences. He finds that mental models help individuals to visualize other perspectives and shift mental models, thus encouraging consistent performance and improving outcomes. 

Parker describes the core characteristics of well-designed learning activities that allow us to deliver rich learning experiences for healthcare professionals and we discuss how simulations and case studies can enhance the learning experience through feedback and building consequences into the virtual experience. 

Resources
Genter D. Holyoak KJ,  Kokinov BN. (eds) The Analogical Mind: Perspectives from Cognitive Science. The MIT Press. 2001.
Stevens AL, Gentner D. Mental Models. NY: Psychology Press. 2014.
7taps Microlearning Platform
Arist

Connect with Parker
Email: [email protected]
IDLance
LinkedIn

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Alliance Almanac

What qualities do medical writers need? This is a question I'm frequently asked.

In this episode, expect to hear some robust answers—whatever your niche, specialty, or area of focus.

Holly Hagan MSc, Success Coach for Medical Writers, believes that all medical writers require diplomacy, intellectualism, inquisitiveness, and resourcefulness as fundamental qualities to thrive.

Authentically embodying moral and civic character lies central to her approach to medical writing. In addition, Holly maintains that personal branding goes deeper than your background banner, understanding personal brand to encompass the experience of your every interaction with colleagues and customers.

She advocates that employees and freelancers would benefit from adopting a service mindset. Shifting to a service mindset also allows writers to reframe the taboo surrounding sales into one where we understand and fulfill the customer's needs. Holly advises beginner writers to remain vigilant about opinions versus facts when considering what is possible and recommends using visualizations to stay focused on achieving your goals.

Holly suggests, "I find that it can be really powerful to separate the facts from opinions when it comes to your job search. That core belief will then change what sort of things you see in the visible world."

Connect with Holly
Email: [email protected]
Top Medical Writer
LinkedIn
Holly is presenting at the AMWA Carolinas spring conference: Learn more 

Resources
Clifton Strengths 

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In this episode of Write Medicine, the tables are turned as I’m interviewed by guest host Holly Hagan. We talk about my own personal journey into CME writing, including how joining the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions was a turning point in my business. Being a part of this community has given me the opportunity to learn about new developments in the field and connect with education providers.

We discuss how I’ve integrated my previous experience and interests into my work,  some key learnings when it comes to running my own business, and I share some of my favorite recommendations for academics or medical professionals who want to explore a career in CME writing.

And on May 5, 2023, I’ll return the favor and interview Holly about her expertise in medical marketing and copywriting. 

Connect with Alex
LinkedIn
Website
Courses, Community, Coaching

Connect with Holly
LinkedIn
Holly is presenting at the AMWA Carolinas spring conference: Learn more  

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If you've been in the CME field for more than a hot minute, you'll know that Graham McMahon MD, MMSc is a medical educator, researcher, and practicing endocrinologist. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) and an Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Medical Education at Northwestern University.

Today, we're talking about integrity and trust in CME. We dig into the factors that prompted the publication in 2020 of ACCME's report on standards for integrity and independence in CME, especially the emergence of potential threats to content credibility. Graham emphasizes the importance of nurturing innovation and retaining balance in education and points to the role of content validity as a core part of ACCME's standards and promise to the community of physician learners.

We also talk about the centrality of trust in the process of teaching and learning,  how the concept of an educational home fosters trust among physician learners and the work to be done in the CME community to ensure safe learning spaces and create education that is diverse in focus, content, and faculty contribution.

Resources
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®). Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. 2020.

McMahon GT. Changes to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Continuing Medical Education. JAMA. 2021 

Sklar DP, McMahon GT. Trust between teachers and learners. JAMA. 2019;321(22): 2157-2158

Connect with Graham
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education  

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Clinicians, academics, or researchers transitioning into freelance medical writing—whether it's CME-focused or not—often worry about whether it’s the right move to make and whether there will be enough work to support their goals.  

In today’s episode, long-time freelance medical writer Jonathan Agnew PhD, MBA brings a sense of reassurance to these questions and emphasizes the potential for abundantly available work. In addition, he shares tools and techniques to facilitate the freelance process. 

Notably, Jonathon’s mantra is “your mindset underpins your success.”  He recommends that you avoid the perfectionist mindset many clinicians and academics are prone to and instead strive for excellence and quality. 

These goals will give you permission to take risks and enjoy the benefits of autonomy. 

And Jonathan recommends defining quality simply. he says the best metric of success as a freelancer is getting paid and learning to value yourself fairly is a vital business mindset. 

Connect with Jonathan
email: [email protected]
LinkedIn
Website

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Christine Welniak is an independent medical writer who specializes in cardiology and diabetes. She values opportunities to develop content that helps healthcare providers learn about new treatments that could improve patient outcomes. Christine contends that "content is king" and is central to producing high-quality CME/CE writing. Learning the art of the pitch in her previous life on Wall Street, Christine is well-equipped to discuss why CME/CE medical writers require skills in negotiation and strategy. 

Although CME/CE writers are sometimes undervalued in terms of remuneration, it's possible to achieve above-average market rates. Christine observes that writers who do so demonstrate skills above and beyond excellent writing, such as strategy, analysis, or comfort in talking with faculty members. 

To this end, Christine highlights her top tips for approaching negotiation and empowering yourself to talk about money with ease.

Connect with Christine
LinkedIn

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The medical and CME writers I teach often worry about how to rein in a tendency to burrow into the rabbit hole.

If you're a medical writer, I'm sure you know what I mean. That tendency to get led into or follow the delicious temptations of information, data, and stories that bear a family resemblance to the project you're working on, but are not quite on track.

The stories that are fascinating and feed your mind, but don't necessarily move your project any closer to a conclusion. 

Like you, I’m up against the challenge of the rabbit hole too.

But instead of seeing rabbit holes as something that derails us, perhaps it's possible to view them as gifts. 

In today's episode, I share a process that accommodates the pleasure of following where the rabbit hole leads and supports the time frame you typically have to do your work.
 
Resources
The shape of notes
Apps to match your note-taking style
Referencing software reviewed

Connect with Alex
LinkedIn
Website

Watch the podcast on YouTube

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Mentioned in this episode:

Alliance Almanac

The CME/CE field has increased its focus on outcomes over the last decade. As a result, outcomes reports now involve a more bespoke process, showcasing more detailed targeted data presented in a visually appealing way.

Angelique Vinther CHCP is an independent data and outcomes consultant who has specialized in IME reporting for 14 years.  She focuses primarily on data collection and analysis methodologies, test question-writing best practices, and reports that communicate clear messaging and data transparency. 

In today’s episode of Write Medicine, we discuss best practices that education providers can use to evaluate the effectiveness of their CME/CE programs and how to use outcomes to inform decision-making. We explore solutions to education providers' main challenges in developing robust outcomes frameworks, like establishing an efficient process that allows time to evaluate the quality of feedback and think creatively about activity design.

Connect with Angelique
LinkedIn

Familiarity with outcomes is core to writing needs assessments. 
Next Level Needs Assessments is open for enrollment.
You’ll learn how to write lean, agile needs assessments with the help of deliberate practice, peer-to-peer discussion, and expert feedback.
Runs April 3-May 12, 2023
Ready to level up your needs assessment writing strategy? Learn more. 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Alliance Almanac

The content creation process in continuing education for health professionals (CEHP) combines both art and science. As a result, creating content for continuing education attracts people who are synthesizers, information seekers, and creators—like academics, researchers, or health professionals looking for a career change. 

In EP 46 we explore taking the leap from clinical work to medical writing with Esther Langmack, MD, a medical writer and CME consultant. Esther deliberately practiced her newly acquired skills while working as a clinician and medical director of the CME unit at an academic medical center. Tapping into her natural curiosity, she fostered connections and honed her skills by being open to feedback from experienced colleagues. 

 We talk about the creativity, flexibility, and autonomy that creating education content for health professionals offers and discuss clinicians' specific strengths in CME/CEHP medical writing. 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Alliance Almanac

Diana Durham PhD, FACEHP is an accreditation strategist who has worked in CME/CPD since the 1990s. Diana has served in many leadership roles, including for the Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

We talk about the accreditation process in general and the evolution of joint accreditation in interprofessional continuing education (IPCE). And we consider how IPCE is evolving and the trends and impacts of accreditation bodies giving hospitals, healthcare systems, specialty societies, and medical schools a mechanism for joint accreditation. Diana shares her perspectives on creative methods of educating all members of the healthcare team such as Schwartz rounds, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes), and simulations.

Resources
Volpone
ACCME
ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education
Joint Accreditation
American Council for Pharmacy Education
American Nurses Credentialing Center
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Council on Optometric Practitioner Education
American Dental Association
Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer

Connect with Diana
[email protected]
LinkedIn

Connect with Alex
Podcast
LinkedIn
YouTube

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Mentioned in this episode:

Alliance Almanac