The healthcare industry is always on its toes, with constant change keeping professionals busy. It could be a change in FDA approval requirements, an emerging technique in gene therapy, a government reform impacting healthcare insurance, or a spike in demand for a certain skillset in the industry. The only constant is change.
It’s natural for healthcare professionals to feel overwhelmed and hit by a cyclone of information. However, to provide quality care, improve existing skills, and advance one’s career trajectory, being in the loop with what’s happening is a great advantage. So whether you’ve been working as a doctor for over a decade or you’re just starting your nursing journey through online NP programs, here are some practical tips that can help you stay abreast of industry events and developments.
1. Newsletters
A newsletter can be a bastion of knowledge, providing you with the most up-to-date information. Cultivating the habit of reading newsletters can be a great asset in the long term. For generalist roles, here are some newsletters that can potentially be subscribed to:
- Modern Healthcare: This is a publication that comes out once every 2 months, best suited to healthcare executives. It offers news, analysis, and insights on various topics like IT, legislation, and patient safety.
- MDLinx: For professionals interested in academic literature, this daily or weekly newsletter is the best way to stay current on new literature in different medical specialties.
- NEJM Journal Watch: Published by the Massachusetts Medical Society, this series of newsletters provides summaries and commentaries on recent medical research and developments across multiple specialties.
While these options are more generalist, you should also look out for newsletters catering to your field of specialty so you get access to more niche and relevant developments as well.
2. Conferences and Seminars
Attending conferences and seminars is another effective way to not only stay informed but also to network with like-minded individuals. Many conferences offer Continuing Medical Education sessions, which can be a more formal approach to building your knowledge base. Much can also be learnt from the speeches and question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions of the guest speakers, who are usually distinguished veterans in their field. It would be wise to keep checking aggregator websites that collate data about upcoming events to reduce the workload of finding the right conference.
3. Online Courses
Online courses are an ingenious way to level up your skills from the comfort of your home. These courses foster your continuous professional development without disrupting existing work commitments. Apart from giving you the flexibility to complete them in your own time and on your own schedule, it also allows for flexibility in terms of topic selection. You can level up in whatever catches your fancy – be it healthcare administration, specialized medical fields, or even healthcare public policy.
Seeking knowledge from the right instructor and getting adequate certification from the right issuing body can give a boost to your career prospects and provide a tangible outlet of your efforts to stay rooted in the field.
4. Podcasts
Not everyone can manage to eke out the time to read newsletters and blogs every day. For the ultra busy-bees, podcasts can be a decent attempt to garner insights from the top professionals. Podcast listeners have shot up in the US, with an estimated 135 million monthly listeners. There’s no dearth of quality podcasts in the field of healthcare, with plenty of options across platforms. So, the next time you go for a run or are commuting to work or back home, tune in to a healthcare conversation.
5. LinkedIn
LinkedIn evolved from a platform for hiring talent, emerging as a community of work professionals across the globe. It has many features that can assist your learning aspirations. Joining one of the many professional groups can connect you with like-minded peers from the industry. Following influential thought leaders can help you tap into emerging trends and insights. LinkedIn learning can be a brilliant repository of valuable courses. Finally, you could also attend one of the many virtual events, networking with professionals beyond boundaries.
Healthcare professionals are living in times of rapid transition. With disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence emerging, every industry (including healthcare) is set to undergo transformative changes. In such precarious times, it is vital to be aware of new developments in the field. Signing up for newsletters providing valuable updates can be the first piece of the puzzle. Attending conferences and webinars could help you connect with thought leaders and knowledge-hungry peers. Online courses could be a brilliant way to boost your skills and make them more relevant in the here and now. Podcasts could be the knowledge outlet for people who are always on the move. Finally, LinkedIn offers the opportunity to put yourself out there and do all the rest. Leveling up knowledge is not a fanciful whim but the need of the hour.
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