Continuing medical education tuition: a survey of charges.

A survey was carried out on the tuition charged for continuing medical education (CME) programs offered by a variety of providers. These included schools of medicine throughout the United States, national organizations and societies, state-wide organizations and societies located in California, and a small group of hospitals in or near Sacramento, California. The fees charged for continuing medical education (expressed in this article as the amount in dollars that a physician must pay for one hour of approved Category I credit) may vary from nothing to more than $20 an hour. The average charge per hour for CME courses sponsored by medical colleges in the United States ranged from none to $11.19 during 1976 and 1977. Recent data indicate that most schools have increased tuition for CME courses because of inflation. Many schools of medicine provide CME through grand rounds, conferences and special lectures at no cost to participants. Similarly, in a small sample of hospitals in California, CME was found to be available at a minimal charge to physicians. Some CME programs are more costly because fees may include the expenses of honored visiting faculty, and costs of food or social activities. There may be further expense if travel is required, although these additional costs may be offset by the benefits of study in a relaxed atmosphere away from practice and office pressures.