Clinical Scorecard: Mandatory Training Modules Deserve a Harder Look

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• US physicians spend an estimated four million hours annually on mandatory online training, costing approximately $800 million in lost productive time.
• Current training formats often rely on static slide decks and perfunctory quizzes, which do not align with adult learning or cognitive science principles.
• Repetitive annual review of unchanged content shows little evidence of improving clinical behavior or patient outcomes.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Audit existing mandatory training requirements to assess their educational value and opportunity costs.

Management

• Redesign training modules to incorporate interactive formats such as case-based learning, spaced repetition, and CME-aligned activities.
• Consider specialty-tailored content and test-out options to enhance relevance and efficiency.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Evaluate training effectiveness based on meaningful learning outcomes rather than mere completion documentation.

Risks

• Conflating completion with competence may create a false sense of security.
• Excessive training requirements can lead to cognitive fragmentation and reduced clinical productivity.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Not applicable

Not applicable

Clinical Best Practices

• Prioritize thoughtful engagement over rapid completion in mandatory training.
• Align training content with established adult education and cognitive learning theories.
• Regularly review and update training requirements to avoid redundancy and ensure clinical relevance.
• Engage physician leaders and accrediting bodies in redesign efforts to balance regulatory compliance with educational effectiveness.

Related Resources & Content

• JAMA Article by Michael Gottlieb, MD
• Richard Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning
• 2025 Systematic Review on Training Effectiveness