The medical specialist provides, with his/her knowledge, high-quality patient care. Medical specialists work in general hospitals and in the university medical centres (UMC). The tasks of the medical specialist who works in an UMC, include not only patient care but also research, education and training fellow medical professionals.
The LUMC considers medical education as one of its core tasks. The organization around this task was given to Boerhaave Continuing Medical Education. Many courses are aimed at the medical specialist and assistants in training, but also on the newer occupational groups such as the Physician Assistant and Nurse Specialist. The appreciation of the courses is great. Participants appreciate the Boerhaave – LUMC-courses on average with a spacious four on a five point scale. This appreciation concerns in particular the quality of the speakers, the design of the course and the choice of subjects. The Boerhaave Committee of the LUMC ensures the quality of all the medical training for specialists. All training activities are accredited.
Boerhaave Continuing Medical Education supports physicians with the organisation of courses. These courses range from plenary courses for large groups with national and international speakers to interactive courses in small groups with 10 to 15 participants in which subjects are explained with the use of workshops.
Some examples:
The LUMC has an excellent equipped skillslab of the Anatomy department. Because of this, Boerhaave Continuing Medical Education can, in cooperation with different course committees, offer practical courses. Examples of these courses are ‘Surgical anatomy of the leg’ and the ‘Endoscopic Skull Base Masterclass’. This small-scaled and interactive courses are always highly appreciated.
How interesting a topic may be, to put the content in a good daylight the choice of the course form is very important. Therefore, we work with educational experts when putting together a course. Together with them, we take the plan of the course to the initiator. Is the subject suitable for a state-of-the-art lecture? Does the subject lend itself for a discussion or working-out in small groups? Everything should aim at knowledge taking root or a skill being taught so that the efficiency of the course is as large as possible. We pay much attention to that process. The discussion may also emerge that the day should not only include face-to-face education, but also the use of online test, comeback-days and e-learning modules. All of this is possible with Boerhaave CME.
The LUMC has named and defined its expertise of clinical specialisms and research in so called research profiles. With these profiles, the LUMC displays its power in national as well as international perspective. Boerhaave CME connects to these profiles with the organisation of courses and contributes to this appearance.
Internationalization is not a goal by itself. The LUMC and thus Boerhaave Continuing Medical Education take this path because knowledge is quickly and increasingly becoming available internationally. The LUMC can and will not be left behind. In fact, the LUMC is developing a so called Medical Extension School (MES). This by analogy from Harvard and Oxford. This platform fits the international exchange of knowledge and professionalism of health professionals. Modules in the MES are free to follow. Only if one wants a certificate, he will be charged. This also applies if someone wants to go to the level of a master. In this way, the LUMC offers national and international opportunities of growth for the medical professional. Examples of the online modules are the MOOC's and SPOC's. The LUMC now has a MOOC made about kidney transplant and one about the anatomy of the abdomen and pelvis.
