In summary, continuing medical education is not generic--it is highly specific. In my view, it does not matter how physicians obtain knowledge in their areas of expertise, only that they obtain the knowledge. Cardiovascular medicine textbooks and scientific journals form the core of our knowledge, but many other modes of education are available, including audio CDs and tapes and CD ROMs. Now, extensive information is available on the internet almost as soon as it is discussed at national meetings. One must be careful with these so-called "up to date" sources of education, since much of this early information has not been peer reviewed. Nonetheless, most of that information turns out to be useful.