Write Medicine

Do you ever feel like you're navigating your career in CME alone, unsure of where you fit in or how to grow without burning out?

Many CME professionals work independently or remotely, which can be both rewarding and isolating. Beyond professional networks, building a true community can provide the support, engagement, and inspiration needed to thrive in this field. In this episode, we explore why community matters in CME, how it enhances career growth and well-being, and practical steps you can take to create meaningful connections.

Listen now to uncover the power of community in CME and learn how to cultivate meaningful professional connections that will support your long-term success.

00:00 Introduction: Navigating the CME Field Alone

00:48 The Importance of Community in CME

01:50 Defining Community and Its Elements

02:38 Personal Experiences of Belonging

03:50 Shared Values and Mutual Support in CME

05:08 Networks vs. Communities

06:29 Benefits of Community for CME Professionals

10:19 Practical Steps to Engage in Community

11:01 Conclusion and Next Steps

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Practical prompts, frameworks, and behind-the-scenes notes on writing high-quality CME — straight to you, no fluff.

→ Subscribe: Become a Write Medicine Insider

Not sure what to work on next in your CME writing? Take the free WriteCME Readiness Index — two minutes to find your stage and get a curated learning path →

Get your CME readiness score

What would happen if the go-to resource for your CME research—PubMed—became unreliable or inaccessible? Would your workflow survive the disruption?

As CME professionals, we depend on PubMed for high-quality, evidence-based research. But with looming funding changes it’s time to rethink how we source medical literature. This episode unpacks the latest developments and gives you a proactive plan to safeguard your research process.

• Learn why PubMed's future is uncertain and what that means for CME professionals.
• Discover alternative medical research tools that can fill the gaps if PubMed access is disrupted.
• Get expert-backed strategies to diversify your literature search and stay ahead of potential research barriers.

Hit play now to future-proof your CME research strategy and ensure uninterrupted access to high-quality medical literature!

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of PubMed for CME Professionals

00:32 Potential Threats to PubMed

02:21 Speculative Changes and Their Implications

02:40 Preparing for Potential Disruptions

03:03 Alternative Research Tools and Strategies

04:06 Staying Informed and Connected

04:26 Conclusion and Call to Action

1. Europe PMC – A free resource for accessing biomedical literature, serving as an alternative to PubMed.
2. Wayback Machine – A digital archive that allows retrieval of past versions of web pages, including government health pages.
3. DeepDyve – A subscription-based service that archives PubMed files daily and provides access to research papers.
4. EU Clinical Trials Register – A database of clinical trials conducted in Europe, cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov.

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Practical prompts, frameworks, and behind-the-scenes notes on writing high-quality CME — straight to you, no fluff.

→ Subscribe: Become a Write Medicine Insider

Not sure what to work on next in your CME writing? Take the free WriteCME Readiness Index — two minutes to find your stage and get a curated learning path →

Get your CME readiness score

How can continuing education transform nursing practice, reduce burnout, and empower nurses to advocate for themselves?

Nurses are essential to patient care, yet many struggle with limited access to high-quality education, workplace advocacy, and professional development. As CME professionals and medical writers, we have the power to create learning experiences that not only enhance clinical skills but also support nurse well-being and retention. In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of nursing education with Drs. Jennifer Shepard and Sean DeGarmo, two leaders from the American Nurses Association (ANA), who explore how we can design more impactful, outcomes-driven education for nurses.

• Discover how the 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses is reshaping professional development and why it matters for your CME programs.
• Learn how continuing education directly combats burnout and improves nurse retention—and what that means for healthcare organizations.
• Gain insights into the challenges of funding and implementing nurse education, and strategies to advocate for protected education budgets.

Press play now to learn how you can contribute to the future of nursing education and design CE programs that truly make a difference!

Here are the acronyms mentioned in the episode along with their full forms:

• ANA – American Nurses Association
• CNE – Continuing Nursing Education
• CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• CE – Continuing Education
• CME – Continuing Medical Education
• APP – Advanced Practice Provider
• DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
• PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
• PHI – Protected Health Information
• PI – Personal Information
• LACE – Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education
• GME – Graduate Medical Education
• OPP – Organizational Practice Policies
• AAPA – American Academy of Physician Associates
• LACE – Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education

00:00 Introduction to Nursing Education Challenges

00:40 Meet the Experts: Dr. Jennifer Shepard and Dr. Sean de Garmo

01:54 The 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses

08:02 Addressing Gaps in Nursing Education

10:41 The Importance of Continuing Education in Combating Burnout

16:40 Advocating for Nursing Education and Professional Development

24:04 Outcomes-Based Education and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

34:50 Conclusion: The Lifeline of Continuing Education

Practical prompts, frameworks, and behind-the-scenes notes on writing high-quality CME — straight to you, no fluff.

→ Subscribe: Become a Write Medicine Insider

Not sure what to work on next in your CME writing? Take the free WriteCME Readiness Index — two minutes to find your stage and get a curated learning path →

Get your CME readiness score

What happens when the data you rely on for CME content suddenly disappears? CME depends on credible, transparent data to inform healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes. But new policy shifts have restricted access to essential sources, leaving medical writers scrambling for alternatives. Without these data points, how can we continue producing accurate, impactful education? This episode explores how to navigate these challenges and source reliable evidence for CME content.

Don’t let disappearing data derail your CME planning.

Grab your link to a living spreadsheet of alternative data and evidence sources.

00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Disappearing Public Health Data

01:20 Impact of Data Removal on Public Health

05:40 Alternative Data Sources for CME Professionals

09:33 Actionable Steps for CME Professionals

10:52 Conclusion and Call to Action

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

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:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Practical prompts, frameworks, and behind-the-scenes notes on writing high-quality CME — straight to you, no fluff.

→ Subscribe: Become a Write Medicine Insider

Not sure what to work on next in your CME writing? Take the free WriteCME Readiness Index — two minutes to find your stage and get a curated learning path →

Get your CME readiness score

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:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

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:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.

Practical prompts, frameworks, and behind-the-scenes notes on writing high-quality CME — straight to you, no fluff.

→ Subscribe: Become a Write Medicine Insider

Not sure what to work on next in your CME writing? Take the free WriteCME Readiness Index — two minutes to find your stage and get a curated learning path →

Get your CME readiness score

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:

• How to leverage emerging trends like AI and confidence frameworks to position yourself as an indispensable strategic partner to your clients
• Practical strategies to integrate patient perspectives and real-world data into your content development process
• Specific ways to evolve your service offerings and build flexible workflows that adapt to changing project dynamics

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

Practical prompts, frameworks, and behind-the-scenes notes on writing high-quality CME — straight to you, no fluff.

→ Subscribe: Become a Write Medicine Insider

Not sure what to work on next in your CME writing? Take the free WriteCME Readiness Index — two minutes to find your stage and get a curated learning path →

Get your CME readiness score

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:

1. A practical framework for incorporating AI tools while maintaining content integrity and human expertise, including specific approaches to quality control and oversight
2. Strategic methods for adapting complex medical content for different audience levels without sacrificing scientific accuracy, supported by AI-assisted processes
3. Proven techniques for accelerating content development across multiple formats while ensuring consistent quality and clear communication

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.

Practical prompts, frameworks, and behind-the-scenes notes on writing high-quality CME — straight to you, no fluff.

→ Subscribe: Become a Write Medicine Insider

Not sure what to work on next in your CME writing? Take the free WriteCME Readiness Index — two minutes to find your stage and get a curated learning path →

Get your CME readiness score

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.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Fall Back to School Sale

We're running a back-to-school sale September 2 through 12. Standalone CME writing toolkits, business kits, and quarterly WriteCME Pro membership — all at the best pricing we've offered this year. Everything's at www.alexhowson.com. Link's in the show notes.