Earn CME at the Point of Care with MDCalc (Review)
You can thank the existence of evidence-based, online medical calculators for not needing to write the Cockcroft-Gault formula on your forearm before every shift. There are several out there, but one that stands out is MDCalc.
MDCalc CME Offer Overview
Key Purchasing Decision Points:
Dozens of specialty calculators with new calcs becoming eligible for CME credit regularly
Access standard-of-care guidelines and practice pearls quickly and easily at the point of care
Unlimited category 1 CME credits
Web/mobile app; point of care tool, medical calculators
One year
From $99/year (5 CMEs) to $5,450/year (unlimited CMEs + $3,000 gift card)
Additional gift card worth up to $3,000 for free with premium subscription
MDCalc CME Plans
Standard Plan: 15 CME credits for $199
Plus 30 Plan: 30 CME credits for $299
Plus 40 Plan: 40 CME credit for $449 with a free gift set
MDCalc CME with Gift Card Plans
Plus 65: Earn 65 CME credits + $1,050 gift card for $1,999
Plus 75 Plan: Earn 75 CME credits + $1,600 gift card for $2,999
Unlimited Plan: Earn unlimited CME credit + $3,000 gift card for $5,449
Pros
- Unlimited CME earning potential for 1 year
- Access gold-standard guidelines and clinical algorithms at the point of care
- Support MDCalc's FOAMed mission arround the world
- Free $3,000 Amazon gift card
Cons
- Must be in a specialty with enough calculators accredited for CME
- No audio or video CME component if that's how you prefer to learn
Alternatives
Get CME from MDCalc just by using the calculators labeled ‘CME.' Anyone can use the calculators for free, but CME credits are only awarded to paid accounts. Use the calcs, read the descriptions, and collect your CME credits. No tedious post-test required.
New CME with Bonus Offer from MDCalc
You can probably thank the existence of evidence-based, online medical calculators for not needing to write the Cockcroft-Gault formula on your forearm before every shift. There are several out there, but one that stands out is MDCalc.
We were given complimentary access to MDCalc’s new CME offer, which includes a free gift set and optional gift card worth up to $3,000. We love doing these CME reviews, so we are excited to be sharing the details with you here.
Clinicians can now earn CME by using the same tried-and-true calculators you know and love, so the quality, clinical relevance, and content need no justification. The question we will answer will be, “is it worth the price?”
MDCalc Launches Mission-Driven CME Option
According to the company, 65 percent of United States physicians use MDCalc. And it’s no wonder they are so widely adopted. MDCalc is quick, convenient, has just about every medical calculation you can think of, and oh yeah – is a free point-of-care resource supporting millions of clinicians and patients in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.
Oh, and we've also named it one of the top 3 medical apps on which to spend your CME money.
As far as CME special offers go, this one is unique. The CME option is a way to support the organization’s growth while keeping access to the calculators free for everyone.
Clinicians who are able and want to support MDCalc financially now can, while keeping the spirit of FOAMed (free open-access medical education) alive for the benefit of others.
MDCalc’s new feature enables clinicians to earn CME credits via subscription for doing what they already do on the platform. Use calculators to calculate things. And then read the clinical insights, workup recommendations, and next steps of course. This was what I’ve been doing for years as a user of MDCalc, so I’m super pumped about this.
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CME Subscription Options
First off, all of the tiers come with a “thank you” gift set containing an environmentally friendly reusable water bottle, a small notebook, and a key ring or ID badge holder.
Great if you tend to lose keys, pens, or anything else of the sort, or if your hospital ID badge holder is so last year.
Several general medicine calculators are accredited for CME. MDCalc specialty CME is available for calculators in the following areas:
- Addiction and controlled substances
- Cardiac care
- Domestic and intimate partner violence
- Geriatrics
- HIV and infectious disease
- Hospice, end-of-life, terminal illness, and palliative care
- Mental and behavioral health
- Pain management
- Pediatrics
- Stroke
- Trauma
Unless you decide to purchase every CME credit individually (which you can for $30 each, but why would you do that to yourself), the amount of CME available to you depends on the subscription plan you choose. There are four levels of support you can offer MDCalc.
MDCalc Standard CME Subscription Plans
Basic – $99/year (~$20/credit): Earn 5 category 1 CME credits per year
Standard – $199/year (~$13/credit): Earn 15 category 1 CME credits per year
Plus – $299/year (~$10/credit): Earn 30 category 1 CME credits per year
Plus 40 – $449/year: Earn 40 category 1 CME credits per year + Free gift set
MDCalc CME Gift Card Subscriptions
Unlimited: earn unlimited CME credits + $3,000 gift card for $5,450 for one year
Plus 75: earn 75 CME credits/yr + $1,600 gift card for $2,999 for one year
65: earn 65 CME credits/yr + $1,050 gift card -for $1,999 for one year
50: earn 50 CME credits/yr + $450 gift card -for $899 for one year
MDCalc Specialty CME
As an additional bonus, you can currently obtain any of the above plans with a complimentary 8.5 category 1 COVID-19 CME credits. Note that you can also get the free COVID-19 CME alone without a paid subscription.
The winner from a value and logistical CME perspective would be the unlimited option, especially if you’re approaching your deadline to spend your CME money.
This kind of CME plus gift card offer is growing in popularity among clinicians of all specialties. With the unlimited option, there’s no need to stress about which CME calculators would be most worth using. Set it and forget it. But hopefully remember what you learn from the calculators.
On the other hand, if you just need a few more credits before the end of the year, or only use a select few calculators anyway, one of the other tiers might be a better way to earn your CMEs.
Once you subscribe, you’ll find a new navigation option in your dashboard that will take you to all CME calculators and only CME calculators. Of course, you still have access to the entire library of medical calculators, the ability to customize your dashboard, and save your favorite or most used calculators.
MDCalc: More than eGFR Calculations and PECARN Algorithms
While we are huge fans of both of these (especially the PECARN one), MDCalc has so much more to offer.
What I love about MDCalc is the clinical utility. Every calculator comes with a set of indications, pearls and pitfalls, and rationale. The calculator itself is followed by recommended next steps in management of the patient based on the outcome.
There is additional evidence provided for this information, as well as unique creator insights that truly make this a world-class medical reference.
If you are a long-time user like I am, you probably noticed some new features, too. The search and filter function has been updated to help you discover new calculators you may have missed. There's also a library of guidelines, while currently in beta testing, is useful nonetheless.
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VisualDx: The Clinical Decision Support System You Should Have
Logistics & Summary
After placing your order real life person will be contacting you to verify your mailing address if you ordered a package with a gift card.
MDCalc CME offers the flexibility to earn CME for what you already should have been acknowledged for. There is a CME subscription for needs large and small, so CME allowance or no CME allowance, it’ll fit any budget. Is it worth the price? Absolutely.
Further Reading
VisualDx + DermExpert Review
VisualDx is a user-friendly artificial intelligence-enhanced visual clinical decision support system that can be used in just about every specialty. It is available on desktop, android, iOS, and is one tool that I personally think is a must-have for all practicing clinicians.
Should You Choose CME with a Gift Card or Take the Discount?
When deciding on a CME activity, consider that some companies offer free gift cards or equivalent discounts as incentives. Which is better?
