UF launches free continuing medical education courses to bolster the health care workforce
Health care professionals, educators and trainees now have a free, online option for continuing medical education at the University of Florida. The College of Medicine Quality and Patient Safety initiative, or QPSi, has launched a series of courses that focus on patient quality of care and safety.
These continuing medical education, or CME, courses were made possible by leveraging a learner-focused instructional design model, and they reflect the evolution of a multi-year partnership between the UF College of Medicine and the UF College of Education’s E-Learning, Technology, and Communications department.
“We’re really excited to support these courses for so many reasons,” said Patrick Tighe, M.D., M.S., the executive director of the QPSi. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the College of Education on this material, and to support our course directors in their passion to advance the science and practice of patient safety and quality improvement.”
Expert instructors cover interactive content spanning topics such as clinical practice improvement, team science, and AI applications in modern medicine, helping enhance clinical decision making while providing the flexibility needed for working health care professionals. These multimodal courses equip participants with evidence-based strategies to optimize patient care, address complex medical challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, analyze data, predict outcomes, and develop more accurate and personalized treatment plans by leveraging AI.
“This collaboration showcases the power of interdisciplinary partnerships in transforming healthcare education,” said Jason Dean Arnold, Ed.D., the senior director of the UF College of Education’s E-Learning, Technology, and Communications department. “By merging expertise in patient safety, research, and AI-enhanced, learner-centered design, we’ve created engaging, accessible micro courses that equip healthcare professionals to drive innovation and improve patient care.”
Launched in the summer of 2023, QPSi embodies UF’s commitment to transforming the health care landscape through AI-enhanced innovations that optimize care, reduce preventable harm and elevate health system operations. As a leader in driving advancements in health care delivery, QPSi strives to improve patient care, expand knowledge in health systems operations and serve as a vital resource for workforce development in Florida.
Some of the featured courses on the CloudCME platform include:
Best Practices in Patient Blood Management: Strategies for Optimal Patient Care
Course instructors: Marc Zumberg, M.D., and Thorsten Haas, M.D.
Discover how patient blood management can enhance patient outcomes, minimize complications and reduce healthcare costs by optimizing a patient's own blood. Learn evidence-based strategies to manage anemia, reduce bleeding and improve recovery in line with World Health Organization recommendations.
Team Up for Success: Enhancing Health Care Outcomes Through Interprofessional Collaboration
Course instructor: Amy Blue, Ph.D., and Charles Crescioni, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.
This course teaches the value and implementation of interprofessional teamwork in health care, focusing on patient outcomes and provider well-being. Learners will explore key concepts and tools from team science to enhance communication, leadership and team effectiveness.
Palliative Care — Assessing and Managing Symptoms in Serious Illness
Course instructor: Paige Barker, M.D.
This course aims to equip clinicians with the necessary tools to enhance patient-centered care through better symptom management, acknowledging the critical role of safe opioid prescribing due to the commonality of pain in serious illnesses. It also addresses the risks associated with polypharmacy, given the complex medication regimens often required by these patients.
Sustainability in Health Care
Course instructor: Lauren Berkow, M.D.
This course explores the impact of health care on the environment, emphasizing sustainability in hospitals. Learn how sustainable practices improve patient and staff well-being, reduce carbon footprints, cut costs and address supply shortages exacerbated by the pandemic.
Interprofessional Patient Safety and Quality Improvement: Root Cause Analysis
Course instructor: John Malaty, M.D.
This course covers essential steps in conducting a root cause analysis in response to a patient safety issue. Topics include choosing an effective team, describing events, identifying and addressing root causes and measuring improvements.
Clinician Well-Being: Promoting Professional Fulfillment in the Health Care Setting
Course instructor: Lisa Merlo Greene, Ph.D., M.P.E.
This course teaches strategies to enhance clinician well-being and professional fulfillment. It examines stress factors in health care and individual risks. Lessons focus on improving culture, reducing inefficiencies and accessing support for better professional fulfillment.
For more information on these for-credit continuing medical education courses and to enroll, click here.