Postgraduate Institute for Medicine: A Leader in Continuing Healthcare Education
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) stands as a nationally accredited provider of continuing education for a diverse range of healthcare professionals. Established in 1979, PIM has built a reputation for delivering trusted, independent educational activities aimed at enhancing patient care and professional development. PIM specializes in joint providership, outcomes measurement, and grant solicitation/funding support.
Accreditation and Scope of Educational Offerings
PIM holds national accreditation to certify educational programs and award continuing education credits to an interprofessional audience. This includes:
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Nurse Practitioners
- Pharmacists
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Dentists
- Optometrists
- Healthcare Executives
- Registered Dieticians
- Addiction Counselors
- Clinical Laboratory Professionals
- Athletic trainers
This broad scope reflects PIM's commitment to supporting the ongoing learning needs of the entire healthcare team. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Continuing Education Modalities
PIM offers a variety of educational formats to cater to different learning preferences and professional requirements. These include:
- Internet Search and Learn Activities: The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) defines an internet search and learn activity as an activity in which a physician engages in self-directed, online learning on topics relevant to their clinical practice from a database whose content has been vetted by an accredited CME provider.
- Classroom-based Courses: Traditional in-person learning experiences.
- Online Courses: Flexible and accessible learning options that can be completed at the learner's own pace.
- Blended Learning: A combination of online and in-person instruction, offering the benefits of both formats. A blended BLS program allows you to complete the video training and written test portions completely online and then complete a hands-on practice and skills assessment with a certified instructor over a live instructor-led video conference. Blended programs are often preferred for their flexibility, convenience, and remote-friendly format.
For courses requiring hands-on skills assessment, such as CPR, PIM often recommends blended learning programs. This allows professionals to complete the didactic portion online and then participate in a hands-on skills assessment with a certified instructor, either locally or via live video conference. If you are claiming courses through our joint providership with PIM, you may also need to complete a hands-on skills assessment for that certification to be accepted by your employer.
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Joint Providership and Partnerships
A key aspect of PIM's approach is joint providership. PIM collaborates with other organizations to develop and deliver continuing education activities. In support of improving patient care, this course activity has been planned and implemented by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and ProTrainings.
For example, PIM and ProTrainings have a partnership to provide continuing education credits for ProTrainings courses. Taking ProTrainings courses and claiming those CME course credits is simple!
- Select one of the national entities listed below and click on its logo.
- Choose your healthcare provider course
- Click on the "START TRAINING FOR CE CREDIT" under your training options
- After completing your training, click the national entity icon showing in the CEU section of your account
- Create a free account with CME University and complete the questionnaire
- CMEs will automatically be reported, and a copy of your CEU statement will be available for print or download
Below is the current list of accrediting bodies under the partnership between the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and ProTrainings for accepted courses.
Integration of Technology and Innovation
PIM recognizes the importance of integrating technology and innovation into continuing education. This is evident in their collaboration with companies like VieCure, which has developed an artificial intelligence informatics software platform for oncology.
The wealth of patient-specific data available to clinicians with NGS means that individual providers are challenged to integrate it effectively. “By engaging with digital tools such as the VieCure platform, busy clinicians are able to learn smarter and faster,” said Whitney Faler, Director of Accreditation and Outcomes for PIM.
Read also: Applying to NMU Postgraduate Programs
Addressing Specific Training Requirements
PIM is aware of the specific requirements set by various professional organizations and licensing boards. For instance, the US Coast Guard (USCG) has specific language requirements for CPR certification cards. Depending on your role, you may have more flexibility in earning CEs for online-only programs. However, in many cases, PIM will supply CEs for the course, but employers and licensing departments may want a hands-on skills assessment, such as through a classroom or blended course. Always seek the advice of your employer or licensing agency to make sure you complete the course that will be accepted by all parties and allow you to gain the CE Credits that you desire.
The Importance of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in Cancer Care
Next generation sequencing (NGS), which identifies the genomic drivers of a patient’s disease, is increasingly guiding decision-making in cancer care. NGS has the potential to deliver the right care to the right patient at the right time, resulting in the kind of response expected from such a precise and personalized approach to medicine. However, barriers to achieving optimal outcomes based on NGS technology - including failure to properly integrate data into the electronic health record and respond appropriately to the findings of NGS - exist along the continuum of cancer care.
“Cancer Centers across the United States are making the shift away from a reliance on the traditional use of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cancer surgery and in favor of sequencing patients at the time of diagnosis,” said Dr. Fred Ashbury, Chief Scientific Officer, at VieCure.
Read also: Postgraduate Certificate Details
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