Two very important events recently occurred in CMEpaloozaland. The first is that the Session Archive was updated to include all of the sessions from CMEpalooza Fall 2021. Be sure to check out the archive for all your professional development needs. OK, maybe not all your needs, but it covers a lot of ground. There are a bunch of sessions in there now. We need to bring back the CMEpalooza Intern just to go in and count them all.

The second event is the announcement that ‘80s sitcom ALF is back! Our own Scott Kober is giddy with excitement about the return of the cat-eating alien puppet to the airwaves, which apparently includes both a re-airing of the original TV series and an animated spinoff on something called Shout! Factory TV. (Note from Scott: OK, hold on a second. It’s true that I was a huge ALF fan back in the day, and yet I totally missed this announcement. Looks like it’s time to turn on the old “Out of Office” message — I’ll see everyone again in May).

A few comments, if I may:

1. Other than Scott, who exactly has been clambering for more ALF in their life?
2. Shout! Factory TV? Great, another streaming service to buy and then immediately forget my login and password.
3. The article in Vulture that I linked to is indexed under the category EVERYBODY LOVES PUPPETS! This is, of course, ridiculous. Everybody does not love puppets. I still have nightmares about creepy Lady Elaine Fairchilde from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. No, I don’t want to talk about it. (Note from Scott: Now that we all know this little tidbit, what are the odds I’ll be wearing this t-shirt the next time I see Derek? Let’s just say they are better than the odds that the ALF reboot will win an Emmy next year)

Every few years, just like every other industry, there is a new “hot trend” in the CME/CE world. You see this in conference abstracts, peer-reviewed publications, and the like. For instance, “microlearning” seems to be something that people are talking a lot about right now, although I admittedly am more confused now than I was 3 months ago about what constitutes “microlearning” (hint: it’s apparently not just a short, 15-minute activity on any random combination of topics).

Another big recent industry buzzword (or buzzwords) is the “patient voice” in CME/CE. This is not necessarily new, but it’s something gaining more and more traction in our education. Many of us, and perhaps even the majority of us by now, have experience with the recruitment and incorporation of patients into our education. These can be powerful additions to accredited education, but only if planned and implemented in the right manner.

How do you choose the patients to include in your education? Do you rely on faculty to send you possible names? Do you troll the Internet? Rely on partners? This is an area where I think there is a lot for us to reflect upon so that we can improve our practices.

To get some insight into this and related topics, I order you to join us (OK, “order” is a strong word – how about “strongly encourage”) at 11 am ET on Wednesday for a special CMEpalooza Spotlight sponsored by PlatformQ Health on the topic of Equity in Clinical Trials Is Within Reach: Patient Voices in Medical Education Matter.

I’ll be joined by an accomplished panel, including a MECC representative (Sapana Panday from PlatformQ Health), an advocacy partner (Jeanne Regnante from LUNGevity Foundation), and a recent patient participant in educational programs (Shawn Feliciano), to talk about the power of diversity in the patient voice. As with all CMEpalooza activities, it’s free to attend and there is no registration required. Just go to our LIVE page at 11 am ET — I order you! — to check it out.

Travel back with me, if you will, to a blog post Scott wrote back on February 3 to announce our upcoming CME Spotlight with PlatformQ Health. This was the opening paragraph:

While Derek was working on another of his infamous Top 10 lists (coming soon: Top 10 Wordle starters, Top 10 1930s radio shows, Top 10 foods that start with the letter Q), the rest of us at CMEpalooza HQ have been diligently planning actual education for our community. I know, what a concept.

Firstly, how dare he. I only do Top 5 lists.

Secondly, challenge accepted!

Top 5 Wordle Starting Words*

5. CLOSE
4. LEANT
3. CRANE
2. TRIED
1. SLICE

*I don’t use any of these. You didn’t think I would reveal my personal starting word, did you? Never!

Top 5 1930s Radio Shows

5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
4. Dick Tracy
3. Perry Mason
2. National Barn Dance
1. The Jack Benny Show

Top 5 Foods That Start with the Letter Q

5. Quaker Oats
4. Quinoa
3. Quiche
2. Quarter pounders
1. Quesadillas

Thirdly, remember to mark your calendar for 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 23 for our CMEpalooza Spotlight with PlatformQ Health on the topic of “Equity in Clinical Trials Is Within Reach: Patient Voices in Medical Education Matter.” While I can’t promise any Top 5 lists (disappointing, I know), I can promise an engaging and educational session. Join us!