This document discusses continuing medical education (CME) guidelines from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). It defines CME and outlines PMDC requirements that physicians must complete a minimum number of CME credit hours/points annually to maintain their medical license. The importance of CME is discussed in maintaining and improving physician skills, competencies, performance, and relationships with patients. Various areas and opportunities for CME activities are provided for different medical specialties and disciplines.

1. Abdul Rehman Pirzado

2. Definition
CME is the abbreviation for Continuing Medical Education
and consists of educational activities which serve to
maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills and
professional performance and relationships that a
physician uses to provide services for patients, the public,
or the profession

3. PMDC Guidelines
 PMDC has developed standards and guideline on use of
CPO as a mandatory requirement under section 16B of
PM&OC (Amendment) Act 2012.
 According to which;
 License to practice be given only to those medical/dental
practitioners /specialists who have completed at least 5
credit hours/years (for GPs)and 10 credit hours /year (for
specialists) of training of CME. These training shall be
conducted by recognized DAI/professional body.

4. PMDC Guidelines for Credit Points
 One Credit Point is equal to 2 credit hours
 One credit hour is equal to 3 hours Session
 Maximum 6 hours duration per day shall be 2 credit
hours is equal to one credit point

5. The Importance of Continuing Medical
Education (CME)
Well established and documented to contribute in:
 Enhanced skills and competencies of providers
 Improved performance of health work force
 Rational use of drugs
 Improved client- provider relationship

6. Areas of CME as per PMDC guidelines
No Category Suggested areas of CME
General Practitioners/
Administration
Any Clinical CME/ CDE,BLS,ACLS
Pre-clinical Anatomy, Physiology, Bio-chemistry ,
Pharmacology
Para-clinical Pathology /Micro-Biology/ Community Health
Sciences, Dental materials, dental pathology
Surgical Surgical and Allied discipline (medical/dental)
Medical Medical Medicine and Allied
discipline(medical/dental),
Multi-specialty CME/
CDE
BLS, ACLS, Any specialty or general
practitioner

7. Areas of CME and opportunities
Category Opportunities
General Practitioners/
Administration
•Integrated Management of Neonatal and
Childhood Illness (IMNCI).
• Community Management of Acute Malnutrition
(CMAM)
•Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
•Management of Malaria
•Integrated Management of adult Illness (IMAI)
•Management of Tuberculosis using DOTS

8. Areas of CME and opportunities
Category Opportunities
Pre-clinical • Teaching / Learning Techniques
•Research Methodologies
•Proposal writing
•Laboratory Techniques
Para-clinical
Medical •Integrated Management of Neonatal and
Childhood Illness (IMNCI).
• Community Management of Acute Malnutrition
(CMAM)
•Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
•Management of Malaria
•Integrated Management of adult Illness (IMAI)
•Management of Tuberculosis using DOTS

9. Areas of CME and opportunities
Category Opportunities
Surgical • Surgical Techniques at a district Hospital
•BSL, ASL
•Essential Newborn Crae
•Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postnatal and Newborn
Care (PCPNC).
•Management of Obstetric Complications,
•Teaching / Learning Techniques
•Research Methodologies
•Proposal writing

10. Checklist for preparing a CME Unit
 Strengthening Department of Medical education.
 Establishing Resource Centre
 Establishing skill Laboratories
 Identification of In house Resource Persons
 Identification of Visiting Resource Persons
 Accreditation form PM&DC
 Accreditation form Health Department

11. Thanks