Continuing medical education helps medical practitioners and physicians stay updated on the latest breakthroughs in the medical field. It is important because of the fact that the latest knowledge of solutions to diseases and other discoveries helps in gaining a better understanding of any illness and thereby prescribing the cure.

The purpose of continuing medical education is to supplement research, expand and offer quality updated education for physicians and health care providers. Continuing medical education aims to retain, develop and enhance knowledge, ability and professional performance. This in turn helps doctors and surgeons serve patients and the community in a more effective and efficient manner.

Most continuing medical education institutions offer a complete series of learning experiences. This helps enhance the practitioner's knowledge, provides updates and analysis, and expands specialized expertise. Most educational institutes construct its curriculum in such a way as to balance and complement the learner's needs. Continuing medical education studies may include various forms of learning such as consultations and discussions, home studies and online courses. Visiting fellowships can also be a part of continuing education.

This process of classification, expansion and endorsement of principles used by physicians to enhance expertise usually results in improved medical care for patients. Continuing medical education is also termed as continuing professional development. Continuing medical education helps refresh the knowledge base, expand it and increase awareness of the professionals. It further enhances their dexterity and performance as a health care professional. These skill sets allow medical professionals to improve their services to patients and the public.

The main aim of continuing medical education is to cover skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession. The discipline of clinical medicine, and the provision of health care to the public are given utmost importance.