CMA and Pfizer Canada team up for new online CME program for physicians

Unique collaboration aims to improve quality of health care in Canada

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and Pfizer Canada are pleased to announce a collaboration for a new online Continuing Medical Education (CME) program for physicians across the country.

This collaboration between the CMA and Pfizer is based on a shared belief that evidence-based continuing medical education, including online learning, improves the quality of health care in Canada by enhancing physician clinical decision-making, resulting in improved patient outcomes. The collaboration also aims to focus on current education gaps and neglected topics that are of importance to physicians today, while addressing physician concerns about the accessibility of accredited courses.

"The Canadian Medical Association is pleased to join with Pfizer Canada on this evidence-based initiative to optimize the clinical care provided by Canadian doctors," said CMA President Dr. Anne Doig. "It will help us assure online access to objective, evidence-based continuing medical education for physicians across the country which is a priority for the profession."

With the first module dedicated to the treatment and management of Parkinson's Disease scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2010, the new CME program will help physicians across the country maintain competencies, while learning about new and developing areas of research/clinical practice. Additional modules will be created and added based on education gaps identified by Canadian physicians through an online polling system at cma.ca. Topics could include those of a clinical nature as well as those focused on practice optimization and physician well-being. The target audience will be primarily generalist clinicians.

"The ability to access current information and keep up with medical advances is critical to improving the quality of care provided by Canada's physicians," says Dr. Bernard Prigent, Vice President and Medical Director, Pfizer Canada. "Pfizer has a long-standing tradition of helping Canadians live healthier, more balanced lives and this new partnership with the Canadian Medical Association is just one way in which the company is finding solutions that involve more than medication."

Source: PFIZER CANADA INC.