High quality continuing medical education (CME) will help GCC physicians improve their care of patients in the UAE and across the region, US-based healthcare experts said ahead of the upcoming Arab Health Exhibition and Congress. And with the UAE's vision to rank among the world's top 20 healthcare markets in the next four years, there is a renewed focus on the quality of education offered to the country's medical practitioners. "We are confident that the UAE can achieve this ambitious target, and giving healthcare professionals credible, evidence-based CME programs will support realizing that goal," said Steven Kawczak, PhD, Director of Professional Development at US-based Cleveland Clinic. "The field of medicine is constantly evolving, including new research findings, emerging technology, and changing policies. This dynamic environment makes it crucial that healthcare practitioners stay up-to-date on the latest medical advancements and standards of quality care. CME serves as the catalyst to bridge that gap and improve patient care," Dr. Kawczak added. The UAE healthcare landscape has witnessed significant improvement over recent years. According to the 2016 Legatum Prosperity Index, which is issued annually by the Legatum Institute, the UAE jumped from the 34th position in 2015, to the 28th position in 2016, in the report's global healthcare rankings. The country remains committed to improving the level of care it offers residents, and aims to rise to the 20th position in the next four years, according to the Government's Vision 2021 goals. Following global best practices, CME is a requirement for most GCC healthcare professionals so that they may continue practicing in their fields. At Arab Health, Cleveland Clinic will be offering physicians and other healthcare professionals an opportunity to participate in nine multidisciplinary conferences, all accredited for CME. These feature 15 key physician speakers from Cleveland Clinic's main campus in Ohio. The conferences include interactive didactic sessions and roundtable discussions on a range of topics, including Imaging, Surgery, Quality Management, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Public Health, and Emergency Medicine. "By providing the best possible medical education, based on current and evidence-based content, CME accredited activities will help healthcare professionals better manage their patients, which ultimately leads to improve the standards of care across communities," said Csilla Myers, Manager of Global CME at Cleveland Clinic. "All CME accredited activities go through a rigorous certification process to comply with guidelines and policies developed by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the American Medical Association. These standards ensure that CME meets educational requirements, and that all the content is independent and evidence-based," Myers added. Cleveland Clinic has been ranked among the top 5 in the US News & World Report's annual hospital rankings for 18 consecutive years, and has most recently climbed to No. 2 in the US, while retaining its position as the nation's No. 1 hospital for cardiology and heart surgery for the 22nd successive year. Arab Health, the region's largest healthcare exhibition and congress, will take place from Jan. 30– Feb. 2 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. — SG
