Endocrinology

Developing and specializing your endocrine practice

By Melissa Hudak

Endocrinology is a highly valued medical specialty, but to effectively meet the needs of your patients it is one that requires a dedication to continued learning. Due to a wide variety of health disorders related to the glands and hormones of the body, there are many areas of specialization for an endocrine practice.

A few of the most common areas of concentration include diabetic, reproductive, pediatric and metabolic endocrinology, but truly all aspects of endocrinology are valuable. With new advances in medical diagnosis and treatment being discovered daily, even an experienced endocrinologist will need to work very hard to stay current with the latest research and information.

To specialize or develop your endocrine practice in order to best serve your patients, you should know the following:

Medical journals can be a great resource for information on endocrinology and to learn about specific endocrine disorders.
Seminars and continuing medical education courses are your best sources for continued learning once you are already in practice.
Groups and organizations dedicated to endocrinology can be an excellent source of support and provide new opportunities to develop your practice.
Choosing to focus your practice in an endocrinology specialty will require extensive knowledge and training, but can set you apart from the rest in your ability to better serve the needs of patients with specific disorders.

Subscribe to an endocrinology journal to keep abreast of the latest information

Even the best doctor can't know it all, but the smartest doctors keep their knowledge current by regularly reading medical journals. Subscribe to at least one endocrinology journal to be aware of what is new or changing in your field.
Try: Endocrinology and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism are both publications of the Endocrine Society. The Journal of Endocrinology and Clinical Endocrinology are both published by the Society for Endocrinology, a British organization, but the journals still offer much to American specialists in endocrine disorders. Information in the European Journal of Endocrinology comes from the European Society of Endocrinology, but even endocrinology doctors based in America will find articles that are interesting and useful.

Take advantage of continuing medical education (CME) opportunities in endocrinology

If you require additional knowledge to expand your practice or concentrate it on a certain specialty of endocrinology, you can learn much of what you will need by attending seminars and taking continuing education courses.
Try: The Mayo Clinic has various learning opportunities in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society also as educational courses, as does the Society for Endocrinology. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has many CME opportunities, including some that are online.

Join organizations and groups dedicated to helping endocrinology doctors

A recognized organization will provide a great source of learning and support while helping you to build your endocrinology practice. Joining more than one group will increase your benefits as each organization may support different specialties and will have unique things to offer their members. And, remember it can still be helpful to learn what others are doing, even if their interests are not exactly the same as yours.
Try: The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has only been around since 1991, but they have a lot to offer the busy specialist, including clinical practice guidelines, coding webinars, and listservs. The Endocrine Society was founded in 1916 and offers a range of services for the busy endocrinologist. The American Thyroid Association also offers information on endocrinology, metabolism and other related disorders. The Society for Endocrinology is based in Great Britain, but still has a lot to offer endocrinologists practicing in the US.

Consider focusing your practice on a specific specialty of endocrinology

If your interest lies in the treating of certain patients or those with specific problems, you may want to concentrate in an area such as pediatric endocrinology, diabetes, reproductive endocrinology, metabolism, or some other specialty. You can find many special interest groups oriented toward providing knowledge and support for endocrinology specialists.
Try: The Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society is an organization for the pediatric endocrinologist, as is the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology. If your interest is reproductive endocrinology, you may want to look into joining the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

If you are unable to attend a conference or seminar, look for online continuing education opportunities that may be easier to include in your schedule. Also, contact other endocrinologists in your area and try to form a networking or knowledge sharing group with these endocrine associates that can meet when it is convenient.