MiLHO Initiative
Missing Link to Improved Health Outcomes
The lack of access to continuing medical education (CME) that is relevant to local medical practice can be the missing link to optimal patient care and health outcomes.
The mission of the MiLHO initiative is to offer CME courses that translate relevant content to account for the unique medical practice environment in some parts of the world. The goal is to provide opportunities for healthcare professionals to keep current of the evidence that supports patient care in their local setting.
Earn Certified ‘Certificate of Continuing Professional Development’
The Story
After almost two decades as a medical writer in continuing medical education, I challenged myself to think of ways to apply my knowledge and skills to impact the lives of others. My opportunity came, literally out of the blue, when I responded to a request from John, who sought my advice on organizing a medical education event in Nigeria. I provided my candid feedback, thought nothing further of it, and proceeded with my life and deadlines.
A few months later, John approached me again, this time seeking help to develop a sustainable medical education program in Nigeria. As justification for the program John narrated a personal story which basically concluded that many patients were dying needlessly from preventable or manageable conditions, in some cases due to doctors lacking resources to keep up to date with new knowledge and skills after graduating from medical school. My experience in the United States told me otherwise. The practice of medicine is a journey of continious learning. Continuing medical education (CME) is central to this journey, and mandatory for all physicians to maintain their licensure to practice. I assumed that the same requirement apply in other countries.
I decided to do some research. Several published studies confirmed what John told me, that access to CME to support continuing professional development can be difficult for many healthcare professionals in Africa. Given the challenges of managing communicable diseases, and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and stroke, particularly in the rural settings, access to current and relevant medical information becomes critical for optimal patient care.
Working with John and his various contacts, we set out on a mission to assemble a formidable team of talent from the United States, India, and Nigeria, intending to develop CME programs for healthcare professionals in Nigeria. With my experience in planning, developing CME, and writing grants, I got down to work.
The MiLHO (Missing Link to Improved Health Outcomes) initiative emerged from my story.
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