Is private equity's growing influence in continuing medical education changing the quality of learning in the health professions?

As a CME professional, you need to navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape where commercial support has dropped, and private equity firms are rapidly acquiring education providers. Understanding these shifts is crucial for developing sustainable, high-quality educational programs and navigating your way as a CME professional.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

Listen now to gain insights into the $4.23 billion CME industry's funding transformation and position yourself for success in this rapidly changing landscape.

00:00 Introduction: The Art of Hustling Pool and CME

00:54 AI Bootcamp for Medical Writers

01:32 The Complex Financial Side of CME

02:06 Evolution of CME Funding

02:42 Pharmaceutical Influence and Regulations

05:47 The Impact of Compliance and Regulatory Codes

07:06 Current CME Funding Landscape

08:21 Private Equity in CME

10:48 Challenges and Questions for CME Professionals

12:08 Conclusion: Ensuring Educational Quality

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

What if everything we believe about driving change in healthcare education is fundamentally wrong - and AI might be making it worse? As healthcare education rapidly embraces AI and digital transformation, you're likely grappling with crucial decisions about how to integrate new technologies while ensuring your programs remain equitable and effective. The latest Alliance for Continuing Education in Health Professions conference keynotes reveal surprising insights about AI bias, observation skills, and behavior change that challenge conventional approaches to CME program design.

• Discover concrete strategies to identify and address AI bias in your educational programs, including a practical checklist for evaluating AI integration in healthcare education

• Learn how art history methods can dramatically improve clinical observation skills through specific techniques like "close looking" and formal analysis

• Master the science of "complex contagion" to design more effective peer learning networks, backed by new research showing networked physician groups make significantly fewer diagnostic errors

Listen now to transform your CME programs with evidence-based insights from Dr. Immani Shephard, Dr. Siobhan Conaty, and Dr. Damon Centola on AI ethics, clinical observation, and driving meaningful change in healthcare education.

Glickman, M., Sharot, T. How human–AI feedback loops alter human perceptual, emotional and social judgements. Nat Hum Behav (2024).

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

In this episode of Write Medicine, I speak with Ginny Jacobs, Principal of Quality Catalyst Group, about the necessary disruption happening in continuing medical education (CME). Drawing from her recent co-authored Almanac article, Ginny discusses four major shifts in the field and what they mean for CME professionals.

Jacobs G, McGowan B, Paynter N, et al. Necessary Disruption 2.0: A Continuing Education Call to Action. Alliance Almanac. Nov 18, 2024.

Alliance Annual Conference, January 8-11, Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando, FL.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Are you prepared for how AI and private equity will reshape continuing medical education (CME) in 2025? As CME professionals face rapid industry changes, staying ahead of emerging trends is crucial for creating impactful educational content. This episode unpacks the key developments that will affect how you develop and deliver CME programs in the coming year.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Press play to unlock your roadmap for thriving in the 2025 CME landscape and learn exactly how to future-proof your freelance business in an industry that's transforming at breakneck speed.Future Proof

00:00 Introduction to the Evolving CME Landscape

00:49 Key Trends Shaping CME in 2025

03:23 The Role of Artificial Intelligence in CME

06:30 Confidence Frameworks and Outcomes Measurement

13:25 Patient-Focused Education

17:38 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

19:56 Impact of Private Equity on CME

21:41 Practical Strategies for Independent CME Professionals

24:44 Conclusion and Future Outlook

WriteCME Pro

Finding the Freelance Clients You Deserve

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

FDA’s Digital Health Center of Excellence

AI in CME Cheat Sheet

AMA’s Health Equity Resource Center

AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) toolkits on cultural competency and equity in medical education.

WHO’s Social Determinants of Health Framework.

CME/CE Market Trends

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Are you struggling to balance high-quality medical education content creation with increasing demands for varied formats and accessibility?

As CME/CE professionals face mounting pressure to create more content across multiple platforms while maintaining scientific accuracy, traditional writing approaches are becoming unsustainable. Learn how leading scientific publisher Springer Nature is revolutionizing content development through AI integration, offering valuable lessons for medical education professionals seeking to enhance their content creation process.

Listen to discover:

Transform your CME/CE process by learning how scientific publishing's "human-AI handshake" approach can help you create more impactful educational content in less time.

07:44 AI aids in content conversion and audience targeting.

10:36 Encourage AI use transparently for in-house tools.

12:22 Exploring AI support for writing and social media.

17:08 Free research roundups offer interdisciplinary literature overview.

20:57 Novels prioritize style, factual books prioritize clarity.

23:29 Developed LLM prompting expertise with skilled writers.

25:19 Balancing human interaction with scalable automation.

We’ve built a brand new program for you that prioritizes foundational skills, implementation support, and connection.

There’s a limited quantity of this offer available, so this week we’re sharing it only with those who are on our secret list.

If you’re interested ​click here​ and we’ll send you an email with more info.

Next week, we’ll share the official announcement with everyone else.

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Are you turning down lucrative CME writing opportunities because you're unsure how to handle client conversations about pricing, research access, or expanding your services?

As a CME writer, you know the challenge of building a sustainable business isn't just about writing skills - it's about making smart decisions about which projects to take, how to access resources, and when to specialize. From negotiating research access fees to breaking free from the needs assessment cycle, every decision impacts your growth potential. In this episode, I take you inside a real CME writers' strategy session where we tackle these exact challenges head-on.

By listening to this episode, you will:

• Learn proven strategies for handling awkward client conversations about project scope and resource access without damaging relationships

• Discover how to leverage your expertise in one area (like needs assessments) to expand into new opportunities while maintaining your current client base

• Master the art of responding confidently to questions about therapeutic specialties while keeping doors open for diverse opportunities

Press play now to get an unfiltered look at how experienced CME writers navigate real business challenges and come away with practical strategies you can implement in your next client conversation.

Howson A. WriteCME Roadmap: How to Thrive in CME with No Experience, No Network, and No Clue. 2024. Tilt Publishing.

WriteCME Roadmap Launch Party

For tips on getting around publishing paywalls see How to write a literature review

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Do you struggle to transform dense medical information into scripts that sound natural when read aloud in videos or podcasts?

As a medical writer or CME professional, you know the challenge of bridging the gap between technical accuracy and listener engagement. Your scripts need to convey complex scientific concepts while maintaining clarity and holding the audience's attention. This balancing act can feel like an insurmountable task, especially when you're writing for diverse audiences from patients to specialists.

In this episode of Write Medicine, voice actor Emma Clarke shares invaluable insights that will help you:

1. Master the art of writing for the spoken word in medical education

2. Learn techniques to make dense scientific content more accessible and engaging when read aloud

3. Understand the crucial elements of pacing, clarity, and pronunciation in voiceover scripts

Tune in now to unlock the secrets of crafting medical voiceover scripts that inform, engage, and inspire your audience.

📧 [email protected]

🌐 https://emmaclarke.com

📰 https://ebclarke.substack.com

X/Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Are you a freelance medical writer struggling to streamline your workflow and grow your business? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by client management, marketing, and the constant need to prove your value?

If you're looking to transform your freelance medical writing career from chaotic to confident, especially in the field of Continuing Medical Education, this episode is for you.

Today Alejandra Viviescas PhD joins me to explore practical strategies that can transform your approach to client relationships, help you overcome self-doubt, and build a thriving business.

By listening to this episode, you will:

Press play now to unlock your competitive edge in freelance CME writing and get ready to create systems that work for you, not against you. 

Jim Collins. The Flywheel Effect.

Nathan Barry. Authority: Become an Expert, Build a Following, and Gain Financial Independence. 2014. Aloha Publishing.

Josh Spector. How To Create Powerful Content (Without Spending More Time On It). I Want To Know podcast.

Alexjandra Viviescas PhD. Flywheel.

Ready, Steady, CME!

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Are you a new medical writer feeling overwhelmed by the costs of starting your career? Do you hesitate to invest in expensive resources, wondering if there's a smarter way to begin? You're not alone. Many aspiring medical writers struggle to balance their passion for the field with the financial realities of getting started.

But what if I told you that you don't need to break the bank to launch your medical writing career? In this episode, we're diving into 12 money-saving hacks that can help you access vital resources, improve your skills, and network effectively - all while keeping your budget intact. 

Whether you're looking to find free alternatives to pricey databases, discover cost-effective ways to enhance your skills or learn how to leverage existing resources you might have overlooked, this episode is your guide to smart, budget-friendly strategies for kickstarting your medical writing journey.

Sometimes expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. Stay tuned for tips that could save you hundreds if not thousands, of dollars as you embark on your exciting new career path.

1. Leverage Free Resources: From PubMed and Google Docs to public libraries and government health websites, there's a wealth of free tools and information at your fingertips. Make the most of these resources before investing in paid alternatives.

2. Invest in Learning, Not Just Tools: Focus on building your skills through free online courses, virtual conferences, and skill-swapping. Your knowledge and abilities are your most valuable assets, and many ways to enhance them don't cost a dime.

3. Start Simple and Scale Up: Begin with a basic setup and free versions of software. As your career grows and your needs evolve, you can make informed decisions about which paid tools and resources are truly worth the investment.

Write Medicine podcast. How to Streamline Your Medical Writing Literature Review Process

WriteCME Pro—a professional development program for medical writers ready to specialize in CME

QueText

Grammarly

MedTerms

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab

Is your CME content scratching the surface or truly addressing the core issues in healthcare practice?

As a CME professional, you're constantly striving to create educational interventions that make a real difference. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, the impact falls short of expectations. Root cause analysis (RCA) could be the missing piece in your needs assessment toolkit, helping you uncover the true sources of performance gaps and design more effective CME programs.

By listening to this episode, you'll discover:

Tune in now to unlock the power of root cause analysis and revolutionize your approach to CME program development.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Root Cause Analysis.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Improving Root Cause Analyses and Actions to Prevent Harm.

Singh G et al. Root Cause Analysis and Medical Error Prevention. StatPearls.

Driesen B et al. Root Cause Analysis Using the Prevention and Recovery Information System for Monitoring and Analysis Method in Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review. J Patient Saf. 2022;18(4):342-350

Mentioned in this episode:

Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab

Ready to write needs assessments that go deeper than "clinicians need more education"?

Root Case Analysis Practice Lab