Thank you for your time.  I was surprised to see that Dr. Foley made no mention of why he feels that in person CEU’s should be a new requirement, unique to the chiropractic profession.  To expand my understanding, I’ve been reading comments from other doctors both for and against this change and appreciate the discussion. 

Dr. Mark Shaye made an excellent case for continuing to allow online hours as an option. I agreed with everything he said.  For those that want to take in-person classes, that should remain an option.

Before online learning was a possibility I earned my all my CEU’s in person. And while there is merit to some in-person classes, especially technique classes, they have their limitations too.

Glitches in AV equipment, delayed flights / tired presenters, distracted colleagues, vendors competing for my interest, and the stress of travel affecting my ability to be at my best, fully present in the class.

In my experience, I have found I am actually able to learn better in online classes. I have chosen when to take the class. I choose a time when I feel rested and ready to learn. I can pause, rewind, take better notes and use my internet search functions to expand my understanding at my own pace. I can repeat the entire lecture.  And I retain more.

Additionally I can choose from a wide catalog of courses that meet my needs, as opposed to what might be available at a particular weekend event just to meet my required hours. I have access to experts from all over the country who have created a polished presentation. I am getting them at their best.

Most recently I took an excellent online class on osteoporosis at a time when I needed access to that information. Because I came to the class with questions, I was even more engaged in hearing the answers. I was able to take screenshots of the slides I was most interested in and I can refer back to, again and again. And I can easily share this information with patients.

I don’t think it’s remotely fair to say that meeting in-person is a better option and should be required. In my experience, online classes are far more conducive to learning and retention than in-person classes for almost all subjects. And for those exceptions, that warrant an in-person experience, that will still be an option.

I am opposed to mandating that any in-person hours be required leaving the choice up to the doctor based on the subject of interest.

Thank you for your service to the health profession.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Blackton, DC