When people hear “CME trip,” they sometimes picture a medical conference held in a vacation destination: long lectures indoors, a name badge around the neck, and sightseeing squeezed into the remaining hours.

MedTreks plans the experience in the opposite order. The trip comes first. CME is available on many departures and optional on most, with education fitted naturally around the destination and itinerary.

Depending on the course, that may mean completing online modules before departure, joining a short discussion during the trip, working through a case with the group, or practicing hands-on skills outdoors. The exact course, credit hours, schedule, and eligibility vary, which is why every traveler should review the CME or CE details on the individual trip page before registering.

What is a CME trip?

A CME trip combines travel with continuing medical education. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education defines CME as education that helps physicians maintain or develop the knowledge, skills, and professional performance they use in caring for patients and serving the public.

For MedTreks, combining CME and travel does not mean attaching a few excursions to a traditional conference. MedTreks is a high-touch adventure travel company built by medical professionals. Each itinerary is designed to work as a vacation on its own, with CME available as an additional part of the experience.

How does CME fit into a MedTreks trip?

CME is organized around the course and the setting. Participants may learn through short discussions, case studies, hands-on scenarios, field skills, or online modules completed before the in-person portion begins.

For example, a wilderness medicine course may include patient assessment, splinting, wound care, environmental illness, or evacuation decision-making. A global health course may focus on healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings, humanitarian medicine, travel health, or community health systems.

The education is informal, engaging, and connected to real-world care rather than centered on textbooks or heavy handouts. It also leaves room for the destination, activities, meals, and time with the group instead of turning the trip into a full day of lectures.

MedTreks groups are typically kept to approximately 10–16 participants. This allows instructors to keep sessions conversational and respond to the interests and experience within the group.

Does every MedTreks trip offer the same course?

No. MedTreks offers several types of CME and CE courses, and the course offered depends on the trip or program.

These may include:

• International Wilderness Life Support (IWLS): A hybrid wilderness and austere medicine course that combines online foundations with in-person skills and scenarios.
• Wilderness Medicine Skills: Practical education in areas such as patient assessment, environmental illness, orthopedic injuries, wound care, medical kits, and evacuation decisions.
• Global Health & Humanitarian Medicine: Education focused on healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings, humanitarian response, travel health, and global health systems.
• Global Health, Wilderness & Travel Medicine: A blended course covering topics across all three areas.

Some MedTreks courses are integrated into trips, while others are offered as stand-alone training experiences. The individual trip page should always be the source for the specific course title, format, and requirements.

Is CME required on a MedTreks trip?

CME is optional on most MedTreks trips. Medical professionals can choose whether to add it when the option is available, while partners, friends, family members, and non-medical guests are welcome on most departures without registering for credit.

Some programs are structured primarily as courses or professional training, so the expectations may be different. Travelers should check the specific page rather than assume every MedTreks experience follows the same format.

Who can earn CME or CE credits?

Eligibility depends on the course, the participant’s profession, and the requirements of their licensing or governing body.

At the time this guide was updated, MedTreks courses offered between 10 and 28 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ depending on the course. Eligible MedTreks activities are planned through the joint providership of the Wilderness Medical Society and MedTreks International. The Wilderness Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

MedTreks is also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing as a continuing-education provider (Provider #CEP16597). Nursing contact hours vary by course. Some courses welcome EMS professionals and other healthcare providers, but participation in a course does not automatically mean that every profession will receive the same type of credit.

Before registering, participants should confirm:

• The exact course offered on the trip
• The number and type of credits available
• Whether their profession is eligible
• Whether their state board, employer, or governing body will accept the credit
• Whether online modules, evaluations, or other requirements must be completed

Can non-medical guests join a CME trip?

Yes. Partners, friends, family members, and other non-medical guests are welcome on MedTreks trips.

The travel experience is designed to stand on its own, so a guest does not need to be a healthcare professional or claim CME to enjoy the destination, accommodations, meals, activities, guides, and group experience. Any program-specific arrangements for guests should be confirmed on the trip page.

How much time does CME take during the trip?

There is no single schedule that applies to every MedTreks course. The time commitment depends on the number of credit hours, whether part of the course is completed online, and how the in-person sessions fit into the itinerary.

The International Wilderness Life Support course, for example, uses a hybrid format. Participants complete online foundations at their own pace before attending the in-person skills portion, where they practice patient assessment, patient movement, splinting, hypothermia management, wound care, water disinfection, and wilderness scenarios.

Other courses may rely more heavily on discussions, workshops, case studies, or shorter field-based sessions. Each trip page should explain what participants need to complete and how the education fits into that particular experience.

Is CME included in the trip price?

It depends on the trip. On some departures, CME or CE tuition is listed separately from the travel cost. On others, the educational component may be included as part of the program.

The trip price covers the travel experience described on the page, such as lodging, guides, group logistics, activities, and specified meals. Travelers should review the “Included” and “Not Included” sections along with the course information before booking.

Can I use employer CME funds for a MedTreks trip?

Possibly, but reimbursement policies vary significantly by employer. Some employers may reimburse course tuition, travel, lodging, or other expenses connected to accredited education. Others may cover only the educational fee.

Before paying a deposit, ask your employer what expenses qualify and what documentation must be submitted. Useful information may include the course title, dates, credit hours, accreditation language, tuition, and an itemized invoice.

MedTreks can provide course information, but the traveler is responsible for confirming eligibility and reimbursement with their employer. Our guide to using CME funds for travel provides additional questions to ask before registering.

How can I choose the right MedTreks CME trip?

Begin with the travel experience. Consider where you want to go, how active you want to be, the accommodations you prefer, the amount of time you can travel, and whether you are bringing a guest.

Then review the education:

• Does the topic support your professional interests?
• Is the CME or CE optional or required?
• How many credits are available?
• Is there online work before the trip?
• What will the in-person sessions involve?
• Is the credit accepted by your governing body or employer?

The right CME trip should work for you in both ways: as a well-planned vacation and as useful professional education.

Explore MedTreks CME courses

MedTreks offers education in wilderness medicine, travel medicine, global health, humanitarian medicine, and care in remote or resource-limited settings. Explore our current CME and CE courses or review the full MedTreks CME Travel FAQ for questions about activity levels, accommodations, payments, travel insurance, and booking.

If you would rather talk through the options with a real person, contact the MedTreks team or call 541-205-9980. We are happy to help you determine which trip and course might be a good fit.