The landscape of postgraduate education and CPD is changing. Increasingly, clinicians are seeking flexibility in how they learn — whether that means attending individual days, foundation units or broader programmes without formal assessment. SOMM recognises and supports this evolving approach to learning.
At the same time, SOMM has long been known for something very specific: a rigorous, assessed and credit‑bearing route that demonstrates verified competence in musculoskeletal medicine. For many employers, assessment remains a critical marker of quality, providing assurance that knowledge and clinical skills have been tested, not just taught.
This is why clarity between learning pathways matters. SOMM now offers both an assessed Diploma route, leading to 60 academic credits and the SOMM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine, and a CPD‑only attendance route for those who wish to develop skills without undertaking examinations.
Both are valid routes — but they serve different professional purposes.
By being transparent about these differences, SOMM aims to help learners make informed choices aligned with their career goals, while continuing to uphold the standards for which the Society is recognised. Flexibility and rigour are not mutually exclusive, but they do need to be clearly defined.
For more information, including details of the SOMM course calendar, please visit SOMM | Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Putting Theory Into Practice