Continuing Education is Essential For Online Business Success

Every day, individuals enter college or university campuses where they undertake studies in a particular discipline. Every day, corporations are sending their employees to seminars or conferences to educate them further. Both groups see value in gaining new knowledge to help them succeed in their pursuits.

As an online businessperson, you also need continuing education. The internet marketplace is constantly changing. Experts are always trumpeting new ways and means for operating in the online discipline. New technology and online social venues means you must stay current. You must also know the best ways to write about and market your products.

You no doubt understand the importance of article writing and article campaigns. You know that writing quality articles for your audience is vital to growing your business. It builds credibility as an online entrepreneur.

It builds trust with your target market.

Employing a good article distribution service that sends your articles Web wide is also important. They get your articles to reputable niche publications. This in turn garners you quality backlinks. These pre-sold readers already have an interest in your products. The major search engines love quality backlinks. You will rank higher in the SERPs when you have backlinks of this type.

A good article marketing service does continuous article distribution for you. However, the best services do so much more. The better ones give you the opportunity to engage in continuing education as well. They know staying up-to-date is essential to building a viable, long-term business. Consequently, they provide the resources so you can do just that.

When choosing an article distribution service, consider their online academics.

Seek a service that offers their unique version of a college or university. This is where you can access learning tools easily. Resources readily available to help you learn internet marketing quicker is what you're after.

What educational resources does a good article marketing service offer? They offer resources that help you write better articles. They also offer resources that teach the nuances of the discipline we call internet marketing. A service that provides you in-depth information, free, in these two areas, is a service you should choose.

The educational resources an article marketing service provides may come in many forms. The best services provide free live telecourses conducted by top experts in the internet marketing field. They offer audio-on-demand sessions, as well as eBooks. The varieties of resources they present to you give you many avenues to become more successful online.

Of course, because article marketing is a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal, they offer education in this area, too. A good distribution service provides academic tools on what article marketing is all about. They present information on how article marketing works. They also make available instruction on how to write articles. This basic, intermediate, and advanced knowledge, guides you systematically in becoming an effective marketer.

You want these educational resources available when and where you need them. Choose an article distribution service that allows you to download teleclasses or seminars; to a mobile listening device or by adding the feed to your home page.

Look for a service that offers educational resources for understanding article marketing best practices. This ensures you create articles that conform to the submission guidelines of editors and publishers. In addition, look for a service that offers education on article marketing with blogs and RSS feeds.

A quality article marketing service presents useful information on how to write faster, too. They know that the more articles you get out into cyberspace the better. That translates to more exposure for you and more quality backlinks coming your way. You're busy with a host of marketing activities. Learning to write faster makes wise use of the time you have each week.

Podcasts, audio on demand and eBooks on article writing make this activity less daunting for you. These educational resources also teach you the latest methods for marketing on the Internet. Your writing and overall internet marketing program will improve in quality.

Take advantage of the numerous resources a good article marketing service offers. Use all of their educational resources. The podcasts, articles, teleseminars and such they provide keep you attuned to what's new in internet marketing. This helps you market better to your audience and grow your online income faster.

Online and Blended Learning in Medicine - Continuing Medical Education

Online education has become an important component of mainstream education in recent years. Economic and time considerations have gradually lead prospective students to actively search for schools online and find combinations in blended education (a mix of traditional education methodology with online and technology aided learning) that fit their considerations the best.

In recent years professionals have likewise turned to online educational programs as a way of augmenting their knowledge base and capability in the workplace. Specialized training can easily be completed online with the minimal amount of time required for hands-on coursework while classes are conducted in a variety of ways through online portals and can easily be managed to fit individual schedules. The medical profession is one such profession that has embraced online and blended education in a big way.

Treatments, procedures and methodology as well as theory and practical application are all now taught online in various blended structures and while professionals go about their practice, they can now learn from the most brilliant minds in their respective fields at the same time, even if they are half way around the world.

Online CME for Professionals

CME stands for continuing medical education, that is, a form of continuing education through which medical professionals refresh their knowledge and learn about the new developments in their fields.

CME activities take place in the form of classroom/seminar events as well as through publications, online courses and other electronic media such as DVD, Video/audio presentations.

CME in North America

CME has become a necessity in many parts of the US, for instance, Arizona State requires 40 hours of CME study every two years in order for practitioners of medicine to maintain their licenses.

Within the US, CME for medical professionals is regulated by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Osteopathic Association.

CME in Canada

400 credits of CME are required every five years, with at least 40 in each year. The certification is provided by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). The RCPSC certifies its members, specialist physicians, through the Maintenance of Certification Programs.

Online CME

Types of instruction

* In online CME, professionals are most likely to encounter the following formats of instruction;
* Text and graphic journals (like reading a textbook)
* Slide-audio/video lectures (Like attending a seminar or lecture)
* Case-based online interactive learning (where students make decisions according to the case study and clinical presentation)
* Quiz questions and answers (computer programs ask questions and provide correct explanations and information in accordance with the answers)
* Correspondence courses (a group of doctors study similar modules and correspond with each other, sharing knowledge and experience).

Online CME Costs

Online CME is very affordable. This affordability is compounded by the fact that the usual benefits of online education, and the freedom it provides professionals, applies to online medical education as well and therefore reduces the overall cost of CME.

Common rates;

3500+ hours of CME conducted over the internet is free.
18000+ hours of online CME costs as low as - per hour.
A few specialist courses are more expensive than per hour due to the nature of the training.

References

1. Dr. Bernard Sklar, MD, MS (http://www.cmelist.com/list.htm)
2. Wikipedia

Resource Area

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Insurance Continuing Education Online - Group LTC Plans

With Group LTC Insurance, some of the conventional features of group plans remain intact while other features are more similar to individual insurance policies.  First of all, the policies might actually be individual LTCI policies.  If so, the policies are fully "portable" if the employee leaves the plan and need not be converted in the traditional way.  Optionally, the employer‑sponsored LTCI plan may be set up like other group coverages, requiring employees who want to continue the insurance to convert to individual policies within a certain period after termination.  (This is called a conversion privilege and not all group insurance plans offer it.)

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR GROUP COVERAGE?

A feature that sets group LTCI coverage apart from other types of group insurance is who may be covered.  Most plans are offered not only to employees and their spouses, but also to the parents of both parties and, sometimes, to children and to retired workers.  In most cases, employees are exempt from medical underwriting ‑ they won't have to have a medical exam ‑ but it is likely that other family members must have some type of medical screening.  Know the requirements for policies marketed because some insurers require medical underwriting for all parties, including employees, while other group plans might not require medical information about any of the parties.  In some cases, even if medical underwriting is required, it is less stringent than for individual policies, especially for older parents.  The NAIC's shopper's guide encourages older people to investigate their children's Group LTCI coverage if available, indicating that, while medical screening is likely, group coverage might be more advantageous than individual policies.

 

The age at which individuals may purchase employer‑sponsored LTCI coverage is often earlier than the age minimums for individual policies.  Typical existing plans specify ages 30, 35 and 40 as the minimums and at least one plan designed by a large corporation is offered to 20‑year‑olds.  While there are individual policies insuring at these earlier ages, they are fairly rare.

Upper age limits vary considerably but generally are similar to individual policies, ages 79 to 85 being typical maximums for purchasing coverage.
WHAT ARE BENEFITS & OTHER PROVISIONS RE: INDIVIDUAL PLANS?

Employer‑sponsored LTC Insurance may be virtually identical to individual policies marketed.  In fact, this would apply to the policy discussed in the Pseudo-Group discussion later in this text.  Most offer a range of daily benefit amounts, benefit periods and elimination periods.  One should always be aware that in many of the existing plans, the employer has worked with the insurance company to decide on the range of features from which employees can choose.

While the employee makes the final choice, the options available may be pre‑selected and, therefore, more limited than with an individual policy.

As for the availability of other benefits and provisions that are found in individual policies, group LTCI plans vary considerably but there is a trend toward including more benefits.  Some existing employer‑sponsored plans include or make available inflation protection, Nonforfeiture or return of premium features, death benefits, reinstatement, restoration of benefits, home care benefits, and others.  Group plans usually pay for care at several levels, have no prior institutionalization requirements, and cover care for Alzheimer's and other organic brain disease.  Exclusions and pre‑existing conditions limits are similar to those in individual policies.

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The Benefits Of Online Continuing Education

Today's working professionals can increase their credibility and find opportunities to advance their careers through online continuing education. These courses are flexible and do not require the completion of an entire degree program. Many continuing ed courses can be taken individually and are more focused on gaining personal knowledge than earning an actual degree.

What is continuing education about?

To stay competitive or advance in a particular industry or the job market as a whole, it's important for working professionals to have knowledge of the most up-to-date developments and practices in their field. These courses will teach students these new developments, as well as other essential skills like how to make the best use of new technology at work. Continuing education can build on your existing degree, or provide a foundation to build upon if you plan to earn an advanced degree in the future.

Why online?

Online learning is the perfect format for continuing education classes, because it allows working professionals to enroll without disrupting their lives or jobs. Full-time employees with careers and families benefit from the flexibility and convenience offered by online continuing education. Many people do not have the financial resources to take time off work for education, but online courses can be completed in the evenings, on weekends, or even during a lunch break.

A wide range ofonline continuing education courses are offered by colleges, universities, and other online education providers. Enrolling in these courses can help you advance your career and earn a higher salary, and some courses can even be applied toward the completion of a graduate-level degree. Many companies will offer tuition reimbursement to employees who continue learning for the overall betterment of their career. Learning online can help you save time and money by allowing you to maintain a current job while you gain new skills and knowledge.

How To Balance Work And Continuing Your Education With Online Training

Online training has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for those who want to balance work and continuing their education. With online training courses becoming more competitive and opening up new opportunities for employment, there aren't many good excuses for opting out of a continuing education. Of course, the one stumbling block that so many of us hit is the element of time.

Working full time and using online training as a vehicle for further your education is often a unique challenge that requires some amount of creative thinking. Usually, the problem isn't really about time. It's about being able to set priorities and learning how to restructure the time that's allotted. Moving the online training courses to the top of the list helps to make it easier to restructure those priorities.

Online training courses give you the flexibility to create a schedule that is going to suit your needs and allow you the freedom to choose your education over certain other aspects of life. If you are unable to put down the remote or get off your social network page you're going to have a much harder time finding the time that you're looking for.

There are plenty of people who have learned to happily live out of their dryer for a few months instead of insisting that their sweat pants are folded and neatly tucked away. There are others who have found that hiring someone to watch the kids, walk the dog, or do light housekeeping has opened up the time they needed to devote to their education. Some people complete their online training by taking a few vacation days when they need to. It's all about balance.

It's not that we all need to become comfortable living around dirty dishes and unkempt clothing, but there are many little chores that can easily be delegated to someone else in the household. If there isn't anyone else in the household, a neighborhood student will be more than happy to take on a job for less than you would pay a professional but with the responsibility capabilities required to show up and do the job they were hired for. Online training courses are about being able to manage time well enough to meet the very basic requirements of time management.

The greatest time wasters are usually the ones that we enjoy the most. While it's important to have down time, how you spend that down time could be eating into your daily opportunities. Try cutting the cable altogether. See how much more time you have when TV is no longer an option. Remove video game systems from the entertainment center and focus your email correspondence to 30 minutes once per day instead of randomly throughout the morning and evening. Of course, there are those time eating games on social networks that are making a big splash, and are now shown to be the number one time waster of all. Online training is much easier to accomplish when we are not distracted by all of the potential fun we could be having.

CDC Public Health Training Network Offers Free Online Continuing Education Courses

Many schools and organizations offer courses and other activities for continuing education credit. Courses can vary widely in price, location and media. Instead of paying for continuing education courses, health professionals can choose to complete courses online for free through the  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Public Health Training Network (PHTN), a distance learning network that offers a wide selection of free courses. 

Health professionals, such as physicians, nurses and certified health education specialists, need to complete continuing education units for recertification. For example, physicians in California need to accrue 50 hours every two years to renew their license. 

Some classes are offered online.  Most courses are free and some have an online video component. Students can also elect to take courses and pay only for the media, such as books, video, CD or slides.

Some media do not carry credit. Look for the CE icon. 

The CDC has been approved as a provider of continuing education by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.; American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation, and International Association for Continuing Education and Training. 

The CDC offers CME credit for physician and non-physicians, CNE credit for nurses, CECH credit for Certified Health Education Specialists, and CEU credit for other professionals.
 
When selecting courses, determine if the course providers are approved by the appropriate national accrediting organizations and state boards.  For instance, the CDC states the following about California Board of Nursing stipulations:
 
"The California Board of Nursing will accept CDC's ANCC credit for self-study courses.

However, they will not accept ANCC credit for courses offered within the state of California. "
 
For more information, read the Occupational Outlook Handbook, look for your health profession and read "sources of additional information. "

Cosmetology Continuing Education Online

Choosing a career path is an important decision that one has to make. It should not be made in haste and should be given a proper thought. After weighing your entire options one should then look for the options available and what is the best way to achieve that goal. The approach should be very methodical and well planned. It is always better to go in for special courses related to the field you want to enter. Today there are so many options to choose from. There are many niche options that one can chose as a career. Take for example cosmetology.
Today it is a full fledged career and a good one at that. Off late it has sprung up enormously and provides a great opportunity as a career. Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment and includes hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures, pedicures etc. In order to become a professional cosmetologist you need to do a course on cosmetology from a government recognized institute and obtain a certificate from there. Cosmetology Institute of America is an institute that imparts cosmetology continuing education online courses. We have developed a unique and specific continuing education course which has been designed by industry experts and is sure to make you a pro. Our practice tests covers all the areas of cosmetology and offers certificate course to beginners as well as advanced levels with tips on how to make a good business with it.
We offer training on how to build a good clientele, deal with them and offer the best of cosmetology services. Today the demand of good cosmetologist is pretty huge but the number of qualified cosmetologist are very few. Cosmetology Institute of America is expert in cosmetology continuing education online courses and has over the years produced excellent cosmetologists. We have a proven track record and a good student base. The cosmetology continuing education online course is ideal for one and all who wants to a make career in the beauty industry. This course is designed specially to teach you the ins and outs of the cosmetology industry. We give a lot of emphasis on the practical aspect and the amount of experience we have in the industry makes it easy to share real time experiences wit hour students. This course is approved for CE Credit in IL, TX, OH, GA, NC, FL, IA and NE. so if you are looking at the cosmetology continuing education online courses look no further and log on to www.cosmetologyinstituteofamerica.com for more information.

Online Nursing Continuing Education Courses and Certification

Online nursing courses and programs have many advantages over campus-based programs. With flexible schedules and ongoing start times, online education caters to busy people who have jobs and family or other responsibilities.

As an online student you can study whenever you want and get the same quality education as classroom students while enjoying the comfort and convenience of your home or office. Online nursing programs that have clinical requirements even allow students to satisfy those requirements in their own communities. Program may even give you credit for prior coursework, military service, or work experience.

In quality online nursing continuing education courses the faculty not only teach the courses, they also provide one-to-one mentoring of the students. Online chat rooms give students the opportunity to discuss course content. Online resource boards and online healthcare-related resource centers facilitate research and study. Online study affords students as rich a learning experience as does classroom study.

Choosing a Program

When choosing a school for nursing continuing education courses look for schools that provide the education you need for the career you want. Give preference to programs that prepare you for certification and/or licensing as needed for your work. Make sure your school of choice is accredited. Ask potential employers if they will accept training from that program.

You may qualify for financial aid (loans, grants, and/or scholarships). Schools may offer financial aid themselves, or you may apply for aid from external sources. Ask the schools you are considering if they know of any financial aid for their courses. Go to government agencies, professional associations, and nurses' or healthcare workers' unions to ask about financial aid options.

Nursing Specialties

Once you have your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) you can continue your studies to earn national certification in nursing specialties. These specialties include holistic healthcare practice, legal nurse consultant, forensic nursing, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nursing case management, stress management, and many others.

Nursing Salaries

The shortage of nurses in the United States means that nurses, especially registered nurses, are in very high demand. Your salary will depend on your education and experience, your area of nursing, the employer, and the location of the employer.

Registered nurses average about ,000 more per year than licensed practical nurses. Even among registered nurses salaries vary. Critical care and operating room nurses, for example, usually earn more than medicine/surgery or emergency room nurseries.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2007 California had the highest median salary for registered nurses (,550), followed Massachusetts (,940), Hawaii (,220), New Jersey (,900), and Maryland (,480). If you become certified in a nursing specialty your salary will average nearly ,000 more per year than a nurse who is not certified in a nursing specialty. BLS expects that the need for nurses will continue to grow over the next five years, at least.

Nursing continuing education can help you reach your professional goals by preparing and certifying you for higher level nursing work.

Online Teaching Jobs - Continuing Education

Learning isnt something that stops the day we graduate from high school. Today its widely recognized that learning is a lifelong experience. Continuing education aimed at adult learners is an area that educators seeking online teaching jobs might want to consider.

Why do adults enrol in continuing education? First of all, its because they want to learn. This makes online teaching jobs in this field attractive to teachers who prefer to deal with mature, motivated learners.

What do they want to learn? Adult learners may be seeking further qualifications to help them in their career. If you are seeking to specialize within your online teaching jobs, then this may be a niche to consider. Skills that adult learners seek include math skills, language skills and business training. If you can offer help in these areas, there will be people out there seeking assistance.

Alternatively, some adult learners may be aiming to become more well-rounded individuals. Its not uncommon for adults sitting back at some point in their career and having a rethink about their life direction. They may say to themselves that though their career choice was a sensible one, they really wish theyd followed their passionate interest in astronomy, or creative writing, or film studies. If you can tutor or offer courses, then again, there will be people out there who you can help.

The great thing about teaching adults who are seeking to broaden their horizons is that they may not be seeking qualifications. They want to learn about something, but their prospects dont depend on getting certification. That means that your online teaching jobs can focus on the subject in hand, without having to build your online teaching jobs around passing tests and teaching to a curriculum.

Dont forget the silver surfers. Its true that some older people arent computer literate, but these days they are rapidly becoming the exception. Retired people have the time, and often the money, to enrol in courses that will keep their minds stimulated and occupied.

The scope isnt limited to academic subjects only. Online teaching jobs arent just about academic subjects. They can be about feeding peoples passions in all sorts of leisure pursuits and hobbies. If you have the skills and the knowledge then you can pass them on to others. If youre a chess grandmaster or an expert gardener, these are all skills you can impart online.

There are teachers who can teach anything to anyone, but many teachers have a preference of some kind. For some that is engaging with primary school children. For others it might be college students. Learners in different sectors have very different needs and aims. If you think that adult education might be a field that you would like to specialize in, its certainly possible to do that. As jobs get tighter, mature students are more abundant. The importance of keeping your brain busy after retirement is more apparent than ever before. Online teaching jobs that cater for adults, or for older people, could be a rewarding career choice.

Continue Your Advanced Education with Online College Degree

They say, “There is no end to education and knowledge, the higher you study the more it enhances your possibilities of excelling in life and career.” If you are among those who have completed your schooling and have already established a successful career, you might feel that there is nothing much to ask for in life, at least in terms of career and education.

Although, if you think about the level of success and growth that you are capable of achieving in life, you might feel the sense of eagerness to pursue further studies, keeping in mind the benefits it can provide to your career. Enrolling in an online degree course is the best way to motivate anyone who would like to study higher without quitting his job.

Having a college degree will help you achieve a better position that means higher salary, better opportunities and luxury and happiness in life.

These are some reasons that make online college degree courses popular among adults or working professionals. Apart from that, it is also a great way for the working class to get a college degree while at the same time persisting with daily routine at the work front.

This can be an amazing opportunity for everyone who need a regular flow of money to perform their day to day task, students who have joined work recently and would like to continue working and for those students who have families and kids. The expenses of enrolling a course in regular university or college are already very huge and with a family to take care of, it becomes difficult for the adults to pursue higher education from a regular university. The fee of online degree course on the other hand is extremely reasonable and the flexible schedule of online classes and the availability of notes is perfect for those who have a family or job.

Higher education is a privilege and should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their age and daily routine. Thanks to the globalization of internet, it is easy to find out a reputed online college to pursue higher education. Search the web to find out a reputed college that offers distant education in your area of interest. Make sure to perform a background check and history of the college before applying for your degree course.

An online course can help you attain heights in career and enhances your knowledge. On the whole it’s a win-win situation.

Unlock The Benefits of An Online CPA Continuing Education

Continuing education for Certified Public Accountants (CPA) is mandated by law on a state-to-state level. This is important in ensuring success in your chosen field as a CPA. There are many institutions that offer continuing professional education so you will surely find the right one.

CPA continuing education is now available on the Internet and the courses range from Ethics, Management, Taxation, and Accounting and Auditing. In traditional distance learning programs, the books were mailed to the students who then mark the workbook, complete the final test, and return the whole package. Grading of the worksheet may take some weeks and afterwards the student will receive their certificate of completion.

Online continuing education for CPA offers flexibility and convenience in completing the course. You simply access the website, come up with your unique username and password and the website monitors the number of hours you log in and your test results.

This way, you can totally focus on the course material and devote your time to learning new concepts. Upon completion of the course, you will receive an e-certificate right away. In some cases, the hard copy is sent through post.

The advantage of an online CPA continuing education is that they are available round the clock. You need not follow a certain schedule like the traditional classes. You can log in at your convenience and need not be online at the same schedule. You can log in anywhere as well as long as there is an Internet connection. For example, in an internet cafe, a local library, or even in your home.

In addition, continuing education for CPA provides you the opportunity to choose the subject right at your fingertips.

You can easily compare courses and fees offered by various companies catering to CPE needs of CPAs. Aside from that, you can also consider enrolling in personal development and career enhancing courses or even the refresher courses needed for securing a license.

Moreover, the courses are self-paced. You dictate the tempo and there is no time table to follow. The courses can go fast or slow as you wish. The pace can be daily, weekly, or even erratic, it’s up to you. Your progress in the course is determined by the number of hours you log, which is based on state requirements, and your test result on the final exam. When you fulfilled these two requirements, you will receive your certificate.

Continuing education for CPA eliminates the hassle of rigid scheduled courses. It does not require you to sit in a classroom along with other students. There is no need to worry about missing a session because classes begin until you log on. Pursuing continuing education has never been this easy.

When looking for a website for your CPA continuing education, you need to compare the costs and see if their fees are within your budget. However, if the company where you are employed will shoulder your tuition fees then all the more you should enroll in an online course. As continuing education is mandated by states, you need to spend time to look for a reputable website.

Click here if you want to know more about CPA Exam Dates or CPA Review by Yeager.

Insurance Continuing Education Online - Professional Disability Coverage

Professional Disability Insurance



What It Is



So-called professional disability income insurance can address a combination of business and personal needs since the professional person's work is the source of income that pays for both business and personal expenses. For insurance purposes, professional DI policies are those written for people in certain occupations that generate incomes over 0,000 annually. Insurers write professional policies for individuals who need income replacement in the range of ,000 to ,000 per month. Since not every insurance company is willing to provide monthly benefits in these amounts, you will want to locate those that do in order to serve this market.



Income, however, is not the only characteristic that defines this group. Eligibility is generally restricted to professionals who are independent and self-employed, but highly compensated executive employees might also be considered.

Typical occupations acceptable for professional DI insurance includes physicians and other health professionals such as dentists, optometrists, psychiatrists and pharmacists; lawyers: accountants; engineers; architects; and some executives, generally PhDs or those who are otherwise highly educated. This is just a sampling of eligible occupations. The companies you represent provide a complete list of occupations they will consider for professional DI policies.



Aside from the large dollar benefits involved, professional DI policies operate essentially like any other individual policy. As indicated in an earlier chapter, professionals are eligible for the most liberal benefits of any occupational group. Chapter Eight of this text discusses the various occupational classes more fully. Because of the high incomes involved, one of the major differences between writing professional DI policies and others is that social insurance benefits are not large enough in comparison to actual earnings to interfere with the income replacement calculations and cause over insurance problems.



The Key to the Professional's Livelihood



Reading the list of typical professional occupations above, you can see that these are people who provide vital services for society and who are frequently self-employed. Performing these services is the key to the professional person's livelihood. The inability to earn income by performing these services affects not only personal finances, but also the very life of the business itself since it is those services that keep the business operating.



Consider, for example, a self-employed physician, operating without partners and employing a small staff. If this individual is unable to work, first of all, no income is generated to pay for personal expenses. Second, no income is generated to continue the medical practice by paying ongoing business expenses, including a substitute physician to see the disabled doctor's patients. If a medical practice shuts down temporarily, patients must look elsewhere for services and there's no guarantee they will return even if the disabled physician recovers. The physician is likely to suffer a double loss: current loss of income and loss of the business he or she might have spent years building. There is no substitute for disability insurance to overcome these problems. Later you'll also learn about some specialized disability policies that address ways to keep a business intact during the disability of someone whose active working presence is key to the business.