Volunteerism as CME?

In this editorial in AM News on how to deal with the scarcity of docs volunteering their time in free clinics, there was this thought:

Encouragingly, volunteerism has become a significant part of the curriculum of many medical schools and residency programs, providing more direct clinical experience earlier than in the past. It has also created a more ecumenical atmosphere, with graduates who are in tune with broader issues in social policy as it relates to health care. Hence, volunteerism can serve as a form of continuing medical education for experienced physicians, exposing them to situations they might not see in their daily practices.