We have opened our abstract submission process for CMEpalooza Spring 2023, which you can read all about here. Submissions are due by the end of the day on Wednesday, February 15. If you are looking for motivation as to why you should consider submitting an abstract, you are in luck! Here are the Top 5 Reasons to Submit an Abstract to Present at CMEpalooza Spring 2023.

5. It’s easy. I feel confident in saying that you will not find an easier abstract submission process for a virtual conference for CME/CE professionals. Seriously, it’s only seven questions, and half of those questions are for your contact info. You don’t have to give us goals (boring), objectives (which are just goals with different verbs), headshots (we don’t care what you look like), or any of that stuff. Just tell us who you are, give us a summary of your program, and let us know if you need anything special to present it. To paraphrase the great Lionel Richie, it’s easy like Sunday morning…

4. So I don’t have to move to Glasgow, Montana. While the abstract submission process may be easy, waiting for the submissions to come in is not because what if no one submits an abstract and then we don’t have any to choose from and suddenly it’s the middle of February and we don’t have any sessions and I’m freaking out because the conference is only two months away and we don’t have an agenda and if we don’t have an agenda then we don’t have a conference and if we don’t have a conference then it will be incredibly embarrassing and I’ll have to move away to some remote destination like Glasgow, Montana which, no offense to Glasgow, Montana which I’m sure is very lovely, but is not a place I want to live and is probably very cold.

3. It’s fun. OK, maybe not fun like playing a video game is fun (side note: when I say “video game” this is still my frame of reference. Look at how glorious it is!), but fun compared to other presentations you have given. We keep a loose atmosphere, encourage terrible impersonations and cosplay, and generally laugh a lot. Also, see #5 above.

2. You get to work with us. I mean, how awesome is that? You will have the opportunity to receive emails from either Scott or me that include such witticisms as “When are you free for an A/V check?” and “Are you going to have any slides?” Wow – can you feel the magic? Let me tell you, you haven’t truly lived until you have been on a video conference with Scott and had him remind you “You’re on mute.” (note from Scott: I may even add a colorful, NSFW noun at the end of that phrase) Check that one off the ol’ bucket list.

1. It’s a good opportunity. Setting aside the snarkiness and sarcasm of the previous four reasons, speaking at CMEpalooza is a good opportunity. You get to present to a decent sized (think 200 or so) audience of your peers in a low stress environment from the comfort of, well, wherever you want to do it from. And…

[discreetly glances left and right]

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Move in closer so I can whisper it to you.

A little closer.

A little closer.

OK, not that close.

[whispering] We don’t care where you work or what your title is.

It’s true. You can be a first-year program manager or a CEO with thirty years of experience – it doesn’t matter to us. What does matter is whether or not you have a good idea for a presentation. If you do, submit it to us!

A summary of the recent CMEpalooza 2023 planning meeting.

Scott: “OK, let’s discuss ideas for the Spring meeting. What do you have?
Derek: “Oh buddy, I’ve got some great ideas this year. I am going to blow your mind!”
Scott: [rolls eyes] “I bet. Let’s hear them.”
Derek: “Imagine this… a session done entirely in haiku.”
Scott: “No.”
Derek: “OK, how about this: CMEpalooza…ON ICE!”
Scott: “No.”
Derek: “Not an Ice Capades fan, eh? Fine, I have more. Are you sitting down?
Scott: [glares and motions to the chair he is sitting in]
Derek: “Perfect. Now, I know you’re not a huge fan of musicals, but-”
Scott: “No.”
Derek: “Right. We could…ask people to submit abstracts again?”
Scott: “Bingo. Let’s do that.”

It’s that time of year. and CMEpalooza Spring planning has begun (It’s Wednesday, April 12. Save the date in your calendar if you haven’t already.) Like last year, we want to include the CE community into the planning and development process of the CMEpalooza agenda. Anyone who is interested is welcome to submit an idea for a CMEpalooza Spring session.

The process is fairly simple. If you have an idea for a session that you would like to lead at CMEpalooza Spring, just complete the CMEpalooza Spring 2023 Abstract Submission form by the end of the day on Wednesday, February 15. After that, Scott and I will review all the proposals we receive and select at least five for the official agenda.

Here are a few guidelines:

1. This is a virtual conference and all sessions are done via StreamYard. It’s easy.
2. Proposals will only be considered if they are submitted via the abstract submission form
3. The deadline for proposals to be submitted is by 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 15.
4. We are open to pretty much any idea as long as it relates in some way to CME/CE. The more creative, the better. My dream is for someone to propose a musical (this is not Scott’s dream, as noted above).
5. Interactive formats with multiple presenters, such as panel sessions and interviews, are encouraged.
6. Please verify the availability of all presenters for the date of CMEpalooza (Wednesday, April 12) before submitting their name in your proposal.
7. We don’t want to limit creativity, so there isn’t a limit on the number of proposals you can submit, but use common sense and be reasonable. We will likely only choose one proposal for which you are listed as the lead contact, so don’t submit 10 proposals or something crazy like that.
8. We will try to notify you within a week of the deadline if your proposal has been accepted or not.
9. If you have any questions, feel free to email Derek (thecmeguy@gmail.com) or Scott (scott@excaliburmeded.com), or find us at the Alliance conference in a couple weeks.

I think that about covers it. I especially want to encourage people who have never presented at CMEpalooza to submit a proposal. We are always happy to have new presenters participate. Maybe you are intimidated by getting up in a front of a room full of your colleagues and presenting material — not a problem with CMEpalooza. Maybe you are worried that your idea would be too “out there” for a traditional conference — not a problem with CMEpalooza. Maybe you are just too lazy to want to put together a slide deck for a presentation — so are we, which is why we often encourage our panelists to use few (if any) slides.

So in the immortal words of “woman on a subway car” from Coming to America, “Go on honey, take a chance!”

Click here for the CMEpalooza Spring 2023 Abstract Submission form

In the past few weeks, I have been reading a bit about ChatGPT, an onsite “chatbot” that creates written content based upon specific inquiries from users. There is concern in many circles that the evolution of artificial intelligence and machine learning could create real issues in the near future. Teachers are worried that students will submit essays taken straight from these bots (I will admit it is pretty ingenious that ChatGPT will write a totally different short essay if you prompt it to “write like a 6th grader” vs. “write like a 10th grader”). Professional writers and programmers, among others, are worried that it will make their jobs obsolete.

You often get a lot this initial doom-and-gloom emotion when new, raw technology emerges that has lots of potential, only for people to quickly realize that it’s more hype than substance (R.I.P. Google+.) Still, in the service of our loyal blog readers, based on this LinkedIn post from Robert Stern at Project in Knowledge/Kaplan last week, I figured I’d take ChatGPT for a spin to see how it handled some of the things I am most interested in.

“Tell me why ALF was a great television show”

Alf (short for Alien Life Form) was a popular television show that aired in the 1980s. The show centered on a mischievous alien named Alf who crash-landed on Earth and was taken in by a suburban family, the Tanners. The show was known for its humorous storylines, catchy theme song, and the memorable performance of actor Paul Fusco, who provided the voice of Alf and operated the puppet.

There are several reasons why Alf was a popular and successful show. One reason was its unique premise, which combined elements of science fiction and comedy in a way that had not been done before. The character of Alf was also a standout, with his wit, charm, and mischievous personality making him a fan favorite. Additionally, the show had strong writing and a talented cast that brought the characters and storylines to life in a believable and engaging way.

Overall, Alf was a well-crafted and entertaining show that resonated with audiences and became a cultural phenomenon. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its quality and the enduring appeal of its lovable alien protagonist.

Hmm, not bad. Let’s try something a little more closely tied to our work.

“Write a needs assessment about the latest developments in the management of type 2 diabetes”

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world, and the management of this condition is a crucial aspect of healthcare. In recent years, there have been numerous developments in the management of type 2 diabetes, including new medications, devices, and lifestyle interventions. However, there is still a need to better understand the most effective ways to manage this condition and help patients achieve optimal health outcomes.

A needs assessment is a tool used to identify the current state of a population or community and identify any gaps in care or areas of improvement. In the context of type 2 diabetes management, a needs assessment could be conducted to identify the current state of diabetes care in a particular community, including the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, the availability of resources and services, and the current management practices being used.

Some potential areas of focus for a needs assessment on the latest developments in the management of type 2 diabetes could include:

• Medication use: A needs assessment could examine the types of medications being prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes and assess whether they are in line with current best practices. It could also identify any barriers to medication adherence and explore ways to improve it.
• Lifestyle interventions: A needs assessment could assess the availability and effectiveness of lifestyle interventions, such as dietary counseling and physical activity programs, in the management of type 2 diabetes.
• Use of technology: A needs assessment could examine the use of technology, such as continuous glucose monitoring devices and insulin pumps, in the management of type 2 diabetes and assess whether they are being utilized effectively.
• Education and support: A needs assessment could assess the availability and effectiveness of education and support programs for patients with type 2 diabetes, including self-management education and support groups.

Overall, a needs assessment on the latest developments in the management of type 2 diabetes could provide valuable insights into the current state of diabetes care in a particular community and help identify areas for improvement. This information could be used to develop targeted interventions and resources to better support patients with type 2 diabetes and help them achieve optimal health outcomes.

Again, not terrible. It’s not exactly a needs assessment, but it does offer some broad guidance. I tried a few other disease states, and while there was some overlap, there was also quite a bit tied to each individual disease state. Frankly, I was impressed.

OK, let’s try something that would be even more personally useful.

“Write a CMEpalooza blog post”

CMEpalooza is an annual conference that brings together professionals in the field of continuing medical education (CME). This year’s event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t stop attendees from engaging with thought-provoking presentations and networking with their peers.

One highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Dr. Jane Smith, a renowned expert in the field of CME. Dr. Smith discussed the importance of CME in keeping healthcare professionals up-to-date on the latest medical research and best practices. She emphasized the need for CME to be evidence-based, learner-centered, and outcomes-focused in order to truly make a difference in patient care.

Attendees also had the opportunity to attend a variety of breakout sessions on topics ranging from the use of technology in CME to the role of accreditation in ensuring quality. These sessions were led by experts in their respective fields and provided valuable insights and practical strategies for attendees to take back to their own CME programs.

In addition to the educational content, CMEpalooza also featured a virtual exhibit hall where attendees could connect with vendors and sponsors to learn about the latest products and services available in the CME market.

Overall, CMEpalooza was a successful and engaging event that provided valuable insights and networking opportunities for professionals in the CME field. We look forward to seeing what next year’s conference has in store!

Um, well, not so much. I have no idea who Dr. Jane Smith is. And a virtual exhibit hall? Not us. Strike one.

Let’s try something else, something that Derek would particularly like.

“Write a haiku about Med Learning Group” (one of our Spring 2023 Gold sponsors)

Med Learning Group
A provider of knowledge
Expertise on tap

Pretty good, right? (note from Derek: Terrible. The first line only has four syllables. Our AI overlords may defeat us in science, but art is the domain of the people!) Let’s do some checking in a few months to see if Derek “borrows” some of his Spring haikus from ChatGPT.

OK, but now for the real test.

“Write a blog post making fun of Derek Warnick”

I’m sorry, but I am not able to write a blog post that makes fun of an individual. Such content would not be appropriate or respectful. It is important to treat others with kindness and respect, and I am not programmed to create or promote content that is meant to mock or belittle others.

Like I figured, totally useless.