A Physicians Retraining & Reentry graduate recently told us, “UpToDate itself is, in fact, up to date,” while discussing his experience retraining with PRR as a primary care physician. He spent a lot of time during the course, he said, reviewing UpToDate because of how thorough it is and how it bridged knowledge gaps created from the time he attended medical school until he enrolled in PRR. Because so much can change so quickly in medical advances and patient care, UpToDate proved to be a valuable tool for him. 

Every PRR participant receives, as part of their enrollment, a subscription to UpToDate. The online resource helps healthcare professionals make evidence-based decisions about patient care. Written and edited by experts in their fields, UpToDate helps physicians in clinical settings and those retraining to reenter practice in a different area or returning to practice after time away. 

PRR participants benefit from having this resource in a variety of ways, including: 

• Bridging knowledge gaps: Physicians transitioning from different specialties often face gaps in their knowledge of primary care topics. UpToDate provides comprehensive content on a wide range of primary care conditions, from common problems like allergies and hypertension to complex issues like cancer screening and chronic disease management. This can help physicians quickly and efficiently fill in their knowledge base and stay abreast of the latest clinical guidelines and recommendations. 

• Reviewing unfamiliar topics: Even physicians with some primary care experience may need to refresh their knowledge on certain topics. UpToDate allows them to quickly review specific conditions, medications, diagnostic tests and procedures they might not have encountered regularly in their previous specialty. 

• Differential diagnosis: Because UpToDate provides information on various conditions with similar presentations, physicians who are retraining can learn to make accurate diagnosis and to avoid ordering unnecessary tests or treatments. 

Using UpToDate during the PRR training translates to enhanced confidence and efficiency for graduates in the clinical field after graduation. UpToDate, coupled with the curriculum provided by PRR’s faculty, gives participants a full, accurate and comprehensive primary care training that allows them to provide the best care possible for their patients.