In Europe, Japan and the US physicians are required to demonstrate participation in continuing medical education (CME) programs following qualification. Traditionally such courses are conducted face-to-face or via reading materials. However, with the development of Web technology, the capability for such courses to be completed online has become apparent. This enables physicians to access information at any time and from any location and allows the potential scope of available information to be greatly increased. The emergence of online CME also presents an opportunity to pharmaceutical companies. The physician detailing market is becoming more and more competitive, and the costs of developing detailing teams in new national markets is extensive. Provision or sponsorship of CME by pharmaceutical companies provides an alternative means to reach out to physicians. This brief provides an overview of online CME, looking at current programs and discussing proprietary data collected by Datamonitor''s April 2001 Physician Insight Survey. The Brief also examines pharmaceutical company involvement in CME and provides some potential strategies for corporations wishing to approach this field.
