At its core, laser medicine is what Wikipedia defines as, “the use of lasers in medical diagnosis, treatments, or therapies, such as laser photodynamic therapy, photorejuvenation, and laser surgery.” For the Tennessee Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (TSLMS), however, it is just a little bit less complicated. We focus on lasers and aesthetic medicine. We help people look their best.

TSLMS is an organization to promote patient welfare and advance the science of laser technology in the health care professions. The Society was established for the purpose of maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards in the practice of laser medicine and surgery. The pursuit of this goal by the Society is through the means of promoting an active exchange of information, encouraging research in both clinical and non-clinical fields and monitoring the use of lasers in the health professions. The Society is an amalgamation of engineers, scientists, technologists, physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals.

The continuing education opportunities that TSLMS offers to its members, and to all practitioners of laser and aesthetic medicine, are unique and can help to launch careers. And the opportunity to network at our annual meeting and conference, SCALE Music City, offers serious opportunities in career advancement.

 

How Continuing Education Helps Careers

It is well known that continuing education advances your career. In fact, sites like Top Resume focus on this very subject in enormous detail as they encourage their subscribers to get the classes under their belt. “The fastest way to land a job, earn a promotion or compete for a raise is through professional development opportunities such as continuing education classes.” Some of these are not-for-credit classes and others carry continuing education credit, or as they are sometimes known as CEUs (continuing education units).

Depending on your exact profession and which body you are certified through, there is a requirement for continuing education. 

(CEU) or continuing education credit (CEC) is a measure used in continuing education programs to assist the professional to maintain his or her license in their profession. Continuing education or professional development is required in many fields, including teachers, insurance professionals, interior designers/interior architects, lighting designers, architects, engineers, emergency management professionals, school administrators, educators, nurses, mental health professionals, psychologists and social workers. The continuing education unit is described as ten hours of participation in an education program.

The term CEU is not a trademarked term; therefore, any educational institution may use it to describe their courses. In this regard, there are no requirements for educator qualifications that are attached to each institutions courses when offering CEUs. There have been somebodies created which are attempting to standardize and accredit institutions using the term CEU, such as the International Association for Continuing Education and Training. Professions and industries usually regulate their approved continuing education within their bylaws and not one institute or accrediting body has become a standard to accept in this regard. Professionals should always consult their Association or regulating body prior to embarking on continuing education and not assume a CEU will be accepted as part of their professional development. (Source).

In our field we refer to this as CME (continuing medical education).

 

SCALE offers CME Credits 

As noted on the SCALE Music City website, the annual meeting and conference aims to provide information and education for Primary Care Physicians, Specialty Physicians (Dermatology, Plastics, ENT, Oculoplastics), Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Allied Health Professionals. 

The Purpose Statement of the event: To provide the most up-to-date techniques in energy-based lasers and systems, in the use of fillers and toxins, skin care and skin care products.

The Educational Objectives are:

• Examine emerging clinical and therapeutic science insights into effective management of psoriasis including new modalities recently introduced into clinical practice.
• Review new and emerging treatment options for the treatment of atopic dermatitis
• Analyze evidence-based data on acne vulgaris treatment options in order to improve treatment outcomes.
• Apply treatment strategies, based on knowledge of the indications, efficacy, and risks of available rosacea therapies, to achieve therapeutic goals in rosacea treatment.
• Demonstrate in‐depth understanding on the prevalence, severity, and impact of primary axillary hyperhidrosis and other common forms of hyperhidrosis.
• Assess the data and discuss treatment options related to emerging therapies for the treatment of actinic and seborrheic keratosis.
• Analyze available laser and light technologies for skin resurfacing, treatment of scars, pigmented lesions, and other dermatologic conditions
• Use appropriate tools to accurately and promptly diagnose hair disorders and improve patient adherence to therapy.
• Apply laser and light treatments in the safest possible environment and minimize related complications.
• Formulate an injectable treatment plan which will meet patient expectations.
• Choose global rejuvenation procedures that maximize current developments and advances in aesthetic medicine.
• Employ combination treatments as appropriate to improve patient satisfaction.
• Discuss treatment options within a realistic framework of potential outcomes, and patient expectations.

Physician Credit: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint provider-ship of Medical Education Resources (MER) and SCALE. MER is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation: Medical Education Resources designates this live activity for approximately TBD AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing Credit: Medical Education Resources is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

*Please contact us for specifics around your credentialing and certification needs.

 

SCALE 2020 Music City Can Leverage Your Networking

Take the advice we have given time and time again. Build a networking plan and follow it. This means to lay out a pre-conference networking strategy, have a solid and operationalized conference networking plan, and perhaps most importantly to your career advancement, do a post-conference follow up.

We cannot reiterate enough how important SCALE Music City can be to your career in laser medicine. Do not miss the opportunity to join us in Nashville, Tennessee in 2020.