Lifelong learning: skills and online resources

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Continuing Medical Education
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Information technology advances offer psychiatrists tools for staying updated and meeting recertification needs.
• Physicians' computer proficiency and adoption of online learning platforms often lag behind technological capabilities.
• Effective utilization of electronic resources requires adequate computer skills and access to appropriate equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the rationale and essential components for psychiatrists to use electronic databases and online resources for continuing education and recertification.
• To identify key computer skills, equipment, and online resources beneficial for psychiatrists.
• To facilitate convenient and efficient lifelong learning for practicing psychiatrists.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar.
• Searched for articles on recertification, physician technology adoption, computer skills, evidence-based medicine, and computer-based lifelong learning.
• Focused on resources and approaches for psychiatrists to meet educational and recertification requirements.

Main Results:

• Psychiatrists must maintain knowledge for board certification and recertification.
• While most physicians use computers, many do not use them for Continuing Medical Education (CME).
• There is a recognized need for medical informatics skills in physician education, with a growing body of literature on necessary computer competencies.

Conclusions:

• Learning computer and internet skills empowers psychiatrists to stay abreast of psychiatric field advancements.
• Essential computer and informatics skills taught in medical school and residency are vital for practicing psychiatrists.
• Adopting digital tools enhances psychiatrists' ability to meet recertification and lifelong learning goals.