Welcome to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center

The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) is responsible for delivery of health care to active duty soldiers, their families, and retirees while maintaining a state of military readiness. Health care delivery is a continuum from front line deployed aid stations to tertiary care in medical centers. Care is delivered worldwide. The entire spectrum of medical specialties is represented. Military-unique aspects of care include evacuation and management of casualties of conventional, chemical, biologic and nuclear weapons as well as environmental injuries and tropical diseases. Preventive medicine is emphasized both for troops deploying and citizens of countries where medical teams are sent. The mission of the AMEDD as related to CME is to sponsor programs intended to promote development of professional and technical proficiency for its members. The provision of quality, well-planned CME activities is key to achieving optimal standards of care. The AMEDD desires its members to maintain professional competence at the highest possible level. Constant advances in knowledge resulting from technological changes, research, new concepts in health care delivery, new procedures, and increased social awareness necessitates CME to update clinical expertise.

Continuing medical education activities must address virtually every medical specialty and focus on both military and non-military aspects of care. For physicians in administrative positions activities are offered that deal with quality improvement and other aspects of the management of health care delivery. Clinically oriented activities comprise presentations of new knowledge, updates and demonstration of the procedures. Medical ethics and social issues in health care delivery are included.

Participants come from worldwide assignments. They represent all levels of training from first year residents to staff subspecialists. They may be working in a medical center, a small clinic, community hospital, or in a research center. They attend courses in their own specialties or those covering topics necessary for new assignments.

CME is offered in short courses that are limited to presentations on closely related topics in a single specialty. It is also given in treatment facilities in the form of ongoing lecture series such as Grand Rounds. Video teleconferencing is being utilized to provide CME to physicians deployed in remote areas. Physicians use videotapes in their individual learning activities. Activities that meet criteria for AMA category 1 and 2 credit are offered. The intent is to create and maintain a climate conducive to self development through planning and implementing CME programs based on the principals of adult education.