Working the wards as a Hospitalist PA means balancing high-acuity admissions, complex discharge planning, and the ever-present pressure of the rounding list. Between managing a septic patient in Room 402 and coordinating a consult for the post-op hip in Room 315, finding time to sit down for your Continuing Medical Education (CME) can feel impossible.
This post is about the Hospitalist Review Course use-case for this package and how it applies to physician CME reporting: for physicians, this package counts as Category 2 CME (not Category 1). If you are a PA using the PANRE review product, AAPA Category 1 credit is specific to that PA-focused offering; physicians should plan to report these hours as Category 2.
At CME Review Courses, we specialize in helping you complete a large block of CME efficiently. Our panre review course and pance prep courses are built as comprehensive clinical refreshers aligned to PA exam blueprints, and many physicians also use the content as high-yield review for inpatient practice.
Course Logistics and Deliverables:
- Credits (Physicians): 100 hours Category 2 CME (self-claimed)
- Duration of Access: 30 months
- Format: On-demand digital modules and practice assessments
- Add-On Benefit: CME gift cards (Amazon or Apple) in amounts from $100 to $1,500 can be added to your purchase. Please note: These are not free gifts. The cost of the gift card is added to the total price of the CME package, allowing you to use your employer-provided CME allowance to its maximum utility.
Meeting the 100-Credit Requirement (Physicians = Category 2)
If you are a physician using this hospitalist-focused package, plan to claim the time as Category 2 CME. Category 2 is commonly used for structured, self-directed learning and can be appropriate for comprehensive review modules like these. This is not Category 1 CME for physicians, so don’t rely on it to satisfy any Category 1-only requirement your hospital, specialty board, or credentialing body might specify.
Clinical Scenarios: Cardiovascular Management
In the hospital setting, cardiovascular issues are a primary reason for admission or a frequent comorbidity that complicates other diagnoses. Let’s look at a common scenario you might encounter on your shift.
Your patient is a 68-year-old male admitted for a community-acquired pneumonia. On hospital day two, he begins complaining of sudden onset substernal chest pressure.
Vitals: HR 112, BP 105/68, RR 22, SaO2 91% on 2L NC.
Physical Exam: Diaphoretic, mildly distressed, new S4 gallop noted on auscultation.
EKG: 2mm ST-segment depression in leads V4-V6.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
A) Immediate transfer for emergent coronary angiography
B) Administration of a loading dose of aspirin and initiation of a heparin drip
C) Obtain a stat bedside echocardiogram
D) Administration of fibrinolytic therapy
Correct Answer: B) Administration of a loading dose of aspirin and initiation of a heparin drip.
In the setting of NSTEMI (Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction), evidenced by ST depressions and clinical symptoms without ST-segment elevation, the priority is dual antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation. Fibrinolytics (Option D) are contraindicated in NSTEMI and are reserved for STEMI when PCI is not available. While coronary angiography (Option A) will likely be needed within 24–48 hours, it is not "emergent" in the same way as a STEMI unless the patient becomes hemodynamically unstable or has refractory pain. A bedside echo (Option C) might show wall motion abnormalities but should not delay the initiation of standard ACS protocols.
For a deeper dive into these topics, our Cardiovascular Blueprint is an essential tool for any PA working in internal medicine or hospitalist roles.
Why Hospitalists Choose Our Review Courses
The breadth of knowledge required for hospital medicine is staggering. You have to be an expert in everything from infectious disease to electrolyte disturbances. Our courses are structured according to the NCCPA blueprints, ensuring that you don't just "pass a test," but that you are refreshed on the latest evidence-based guidelines.
Using our Infectious Disease and Pulmonary Blueprint modules allows you to stay sharp on the most frequent admission diagnoses. Whether you are prepping for a recertification exam or just keeping your clinical skills at their peak, the 100 hours you complete can be reported by physicians as Category 2 CME, which is often the cleanest way to document this type of structured review activity.
Clinical Scenarios: Pulmonary and Critical Care
Managing respiratory failure is a daily task for the Hospitalist PA. Understanding when to escalate care is critical.
Your patient is a 54-year-old female with a history of COPD and obesity who was admitted for a skin and soft tissue infection. Six hours after admission, she develops acute tachypnea and tachycardia.
Vitals: HR 122, BP 130/85, RR 30, SaO2 86% on 4L NC.
Physical Exam: Clear lung sounds bilaterally, no wheezing or rales. Right lower extremity is noted to be more edematous than the left.
Labs: D-dimer is significantly elevated.
What is the most appropriate diagnostic gold standard for this patient?
A) Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) scan
B) Chest X-ray
C) Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
D) Venous Duplex Ultrasound of the lower extremities
Correct Answer: C) Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA).
CTPA is the gold standard for diagnosing a pulmonary embolism (PE). While a V/Q scan (Option A) is an alternative for patients with renal failure or contrast allergies, it is not the primary gold standard. A Chest X-ray (Option B) is often normal in patients with PE or may show non-specific signs like Westermark’s sign or Hampton’s hump, but it is not diagnostic. A Venous Duplex (Option D) can confirm a DVT, which would support the diagnosis, but it does not directly diagnose the PE itself.
For PAs needing to master these diagnostic pathways, the Pulmonary Blueprint provides clear, concise breakdowns of these life-saving protocols.
Utilizing Your CME Budget: The Gift Card Add-On
Most hospitalist positions come with a dedicated CME allowance, often ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 annually. However, many PAs find it difficult to use this entire budget on a single course or travel. This is where our cme gift cards add-on becomes a valuable tool.
When you purchase our 100-credit package, you can select an Amazon or Apple gift card to be added to your total. For example, if you choose the $1,500 Amazon Gift Card add-on, your total price reflects the cost of the high-quality 100-credit panre review course plus the $1,500 value of the card. This total is reflected on one single receipt. This allows you to upgrade your clinical tech: perhaps a new iPad for rounding or clinical reference books from Amazon: using your employer’s pre-tax CME dollars.
Remember: These gift cards are NOT free. They are a deliberate add-on to help you maximize your professional development budget. We provide a single transaction receipt that lists the educational package, which many employers require for reimbursement.
Mastering Multiple Specialties
In the hospital, you aren't just a "Medicine PA." You often act as a bridge between specialties. You might be managing a patient with an AKI while they are on the Neurology Blueprint floor for a stroke, or handling a patient with complex Gastrointestinal bleeding.
Our individual blueprint courses allow you to hone in on your weaknesses. If you find yourself struggling with acid-base disorders or electrolyte management, our Genitourinary course is the perfect supplement. If the psychiatry consults are taking too long and you need to manage an acute agitation or withdrawal syndrome, the Psychiatry Blueprint offers practical, exam-relevant pearls.
The Value of PANCE Prep Courses for Practice
Even if you are years away from your PANRE, taking a pance prep course can be an excellent way to keep your general medicine knowledge broad. Hospitalists can easily develop "tunnel vision," focusing only on the common "bread and butter" inpatient cases. A comprehensive review ensures you don't forget the nuances of Dermatology or Hematology that might appear in a complex patient with multiple comorbidities.
By completing this hospitalist review package through CME Review Courses, you are investing in your clinical competence and your career longevity. Physicians should claim these hours as Category 2 CME. If you are using the content for structured inpatient review (admissions, consults, discharge planning, and high-yield inpatient differentials), the format is straightforward to document for Category 2 reporting.
Conclusion
Don’t let your CME requirements fall by the wayside. If you’re a physician looking for an efficient inpatient refresher, this Hospitalist Review Course approach is a practical way to complete 100 hours of Category 2 CME with one structured program. Take advantage of the cme gift cards add-on to make the most of your employer’s benefits, and walk onto your next shift with the confidence that your medical knowledge is current.
Explore our full range of courses at cmereviewcourses.com and get started today. Whether you need a Family Medicine CME Package or a targeted specialty review, we have the tools you need to stay sharp.