Trends and developments in continuing medical education.

Continuing education is vital for otolaryngologists to maintain and build on their knowledge base and skill sets. This article discusses the history of continuing medical education (CME) and describes the significant changes in CME that are currently underway. The development of CME has generally lagged behind other improvements in medical education.

Internet platforms for lifelong learning: a continuum of opportunity.

Access to knowledge through the Internet has spawned a world of online learning, stimulating a new passion for lifelong learning in academia, professional environments, the workplace, and at home. This article takes a fresh look at the wide spectrum of opportunities for online medical education for physicians. We first explore a continuum of "e-learning" models and then look at the range of platforms used to support these systems.

Clinical practice guideline: acute otitis externa.

Objective: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to manage diffuse acute otitis externa (AOE), defined as generalized inflammation of the external ear canal, which may also involve the pinna or tympanic membrane. The primary purpose is to promote appropriate use of oral and topical antimicrobials and to highlight the need for adequate pain relief.

Study Design: In creating this guideline, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) selected a development group representing the fields of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, infectious disease, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and medical informatics.