Merv's Blog
Continuing medical education – a specialist form of learning
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Continuing medical education (CME) is the process through which physicians use to ensure that their skills and knowledge continues to be relevant to the latest thinking in the field of medicine.
When you consider that a doctor’s career could conceivably span four decades, it is obvious that much of what they were taught during their initial training will be out of date by the time they retire.
Therefore, in order to ensure that they are up to speed with the latest developments in their field, doctors undergo CME courses throughout their career that are designed to inform them of new medicines, treatments and techniques which they can use in a clinical setting.
Bribing students to take a Chlamydia test
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The National Union of Students (NUS) has taken the controversial move of organising an event in students’ unions whereby students in the UK get a free drink for agreeing to take a Chlamydia test.
Fewer people are volunteering to be tested and the number with sexually transmitted infections is on the rise, so the NUS has created this initiative to slow the spread of the disease and raise awareness.
After taking the test, students will be given tokens which can be exchanged for alcoholic drinks. The scheme is set to be rolled out over the coming year, but many of the events are to be held during Fresher’s Week, when new students spend a lot of their time making new friends and partying.
Try home study for personal development
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More and more people are turning to home study as a way to better themselves, and improve their skill set. It’s a very effective way of learning for many people, as it can be adapted around the needs of the individual and their personal circumstances.
Its rise in popularity can also be linked with the increased costs involved in a university education, something which is particularly important during a recession.
Home study courses are available for a wide range of subjects, from the most common GCSEs and A Levels, right through to more specialist training courses in management, communication skills, accountancy and bookkeeping, education and much more.
Study for A levels from the comfort of your sofa
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As it becomes increasingly difficult to find – and retain – jobs, owing to the effects of the credit crunch, more and more adults are opting to go back and study for A levels to improve their employment prospects. For logistical, family and professional reasons, many of these mature students are choosing to study their chosen subjects by distance learning.
One of the major plus points of distance learning (definition) is that it gives students immense flexibility, allowing them to fit their research, studying and essay-writing in around various other commitments – such as jobs, children and caring for elderly parents.
One of my closest friends has been caring for her mother almost continuously for the past eight years, so she’s not had much of a social life for a long time. However, the positive aspect of all this is that she has put all the hours she’s been obliged to stay indoors to good use by sitting 3 A levels – in which she achieved 2 As and a B. Angie would be the first to confess that she never expected to do so well, but she found that the courses she did (this sort of thing) stopped her from getting bored to tears. The end result is that she’s now far better qualified – and her mum is really proud of her clever daughter 
Laptop notebook – how computers could be used in class
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Computers are an integral part of just about everyone’s life now, used at school, work and in the home.
That is why it is important to make sure you have good quality laptop notebook batteries when using a laptop computer. After all, it will be very disappointing if you are using a laptop and the battery runs out, and you don’t have a spare.
This will be especially annoying if the UK ever introduces a system being piloted in the Danish education system.
If your computer dies during an exam, you will be very badly affected. That is why suppliers such as this one are popular. It is always useful to have a spare laptop battery on hand.
Childcare courses that allow you to study at home
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Being stuck at home with small kids can be a real bind, no matter how much you adore the little dears. However, some mums have used their enforced career break to launch a new, temporary career in child-minding. Of course, it’s sensible to take one of the many childcare courses available before you dive straight in to child-minding. Because although you may think that bringing up your own kids equips you adequately for your new role, formal qualifications (from places like this) will enhance your knowledge and skills, plus provide information on legal aspects of the responsibilities of childcare providers.
There are lots of different courses available which will allow you to study at home (more info) – either when the kids are at nursery for a couple of hours or in the evenings when they’re (hopefully!) sleeping. So if you don’t fancy learning about childcare, why not try French or Accounting?
Revalidation for GPs – continuing education
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GPs across the UK will soon benefit from the revalidation process. This will make it easier for doctors to keep abreast of any new medical advances and will also allow patients to see that their doctor’s skills are up to date.
There are many places where you can get information about revalidation.
In short, the revalidation process allows doctors to continue their practical training. And in a sector that moves as quickly as medicine, it is important that practitioners are always aware of new breakthroughs.
That is why this continuous form of education is vital to both GPs and hospital doctors.
Medical courses to keep clinical education moving forward
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When you graduate in medicine you know that your education will never be fully complete. The filed of medicine is one of the fastest changing in the world. As well as daily discoveries advancing medical science there are regular technological advancements that both make the job of medical professionals easier and make it necessary for those involved in medicine to receive regular medical courses to enhance keep up to date with it all and improve their skills where new techniques and use of technology is concerned.
Nowadays, the continuing education of clinicians is facilitated by courses in medicine which pool all the relevant resources and technical training, presenting it in such a way that those continuing their learning in medicine can support their skills while concentrating on important daily tasks.
Successful home learning depends on regular tutor contact
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My mum has always wished that she’d stuck in at school a bit more, so I’ve been telling her for ages about the amazing home learning opportunities that now exist.
There are a host of courses covering a wide range of arts and science subjects, so she could literally study for just about any sort of degree she wanted – from mathematics to marketing and from philosophy to physics. She had a look online to find companies offering home study courses (see here) and couldn’t believe how many there were.
All she has to do now is decide which of these illustrious distance learning (find out more) companies she’s going to entrust with providing her long-overdue further education.
HIV test – educating people about risk
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People are often worried about taking an HIV test, and understandably so. However, while government, schools and NHS trust may try to educate people about the risks it seems the message may not be getting through.
Recent figures show that many people are ignorant of the risk of unprotected sex or sharing needles when it comes to HIV transmission.
The only way to combat this is through education. After all, when I was at school sex education focused only on biology – it needs to be much more all-encompassing.
Organisations such as the Family Planning Association (FPA) can help with any information you may need.
