COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE

We, as humans, are molded by our experiences. Our knowledge base and approaches to problem solving are in many ways a result of interactions with colleagues and mentors. Along the way, we have created a community of practice through this ongoing interaction around a shared interest. Wenger defines a Community of Practice as a group of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis.(1) Traditional opportunities for clinicians to engage in sharing have been local medical society/association, national or regional conventions, calling trusted colleagues, and/or connecting with medical staff at the local hospital. For many, time constraints have made it difficult to connect at all.

It is a goal of CME Outfitters to establish a point of sharing by developing a Community of Practice. Available for download are slides that can be used to teach and to share with colleagues as you serve in a mentoring role in your community. As our Community of Practice grows, we will continue to add resources and opportunities for sharing. Send us your ideas! We are committed to providing a community for sharing practice improvements, to develop and share knowledge and build expertise, and to provide tools and strategies that support future learning for all involved.

1. Wenger E. Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, Identity. Cambridge University; 1998.

Select one of the areas below to participate in the CME Outfitters Community of Practice:

• Clinical Abstracts
• Clinical Compass™ Archives
• Clinical Trials
• CME Snacks
• Links
• Medical Simulations
• Practice Guidelines
• Rating Scales
• Slide Library
• Smartphone Apps

For additional opportunities to interact with your colleagues, follow CME Outfitters on:
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