MCIM’s Value-Driven CPD: Quality Education at a Fraction of the Cost

Maharashtra, India, August 28, 2024: The Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine (MCIM) has introduced a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) policy to enhance the professional growth of Ayurvedic practitioners. This initiative offers a cost-effective and accessible approach to earning CPD credit points, which are essential for medical registration renewal.

A rural Ayurvedic practitioner shares their experience: “MCIM’s initiative has been helpful for me. I can now access quality educational content without leaving my clinic or incurring significant expenses.”

The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) policy mandates practitioners to accumulate 50 CPD points over five years. Points can be earned through various activities, including online Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs, conferences, workshops, and research publications. This policy was later implemented at the state level by MCIM with few positive reforms.

Benefits of the MCIM initiative include:

1. Flexibility: It offers a flexible approach to earning CPD points, ensuring a more balanced approach. Practitioners can earn 30 points online, while the remaining 20 points can be acquired through other means, such as attending conferences, seminars, and workshops. 

2. Cost-effectiveness: For a small fraction of the price of attending seminars and workshops for one or two days, practitioners can earn CPD points from their place of convenience.

3. Convenience: Online access allows learning without interfering with clinical work. With this initiative, practitioners can learn without having to close their clinics or leave their patients unattended.

4. Accessibility: Physicians in middle-class and rural areas can readily access CPD resources. With a decent internet connection, practitioners will be able to access the resources since they will be available online.

5. Digital Transformation: Aligns with the Digital India framework, bringing Ayurvedic education into the modern era. This digital approach ensures that Ayurvedic knowledge erases boundaries, making it accessible to a wider audience and preserving its relevance in today’s time.

One Ayurvedic consultant shares, “Previously, I had to spend thousands on seminars, often closing my practice for days. With MCIM’s platform, I can earn points without hampering my practice or finances.” 

The MCIM initiative expands the use of Ayurvedic knowledge in the digital sphere, making it consistent with the Digital India framework. It provides an answer to the problems middle-class and rural practitioners have in gaining access to CPD resources. The advantages of this initiative include:

• Tax-inclusive pricing
• Spread-out payment over five years
• Prevention of income loss from clinic closures
• Access to MCIM-approved content from fellow Maharashtra doctors

While the initiative faces temporary setbacks, its potential to revolutionise Ayurvedic education is undeniable. The MCIM’s initiative represents a significant step towards modernising Ayurvedic education. Offering a cost-effective, flexible, and accessible platform for continuous learning benefits individual practitioners and contributes to the overall growth and relevance of Ayurvedic medicine in the digital age.