CME ‘R US!

1. JOINTLY SPONSORED CME ‘R US!

2. Assumption: That you have reviewed the content of the updated CME manual posted on line in early August.

3. Not really a “training” session. It’s a collaboration session!

4. Session Objectives Establish a clearer understanding of our CME joint sponsorship program. Address questions regarding ACCME guidelines and ACEP processes.

5. We have a lot of ground to cover. Kindly bear with me!

6. Five Segments Today: • Touch on some background and CME basics. • Look at some not so basics. • Quickly review ACEP’s CME processes. • Address the latest ACCME challenge areas. • Open forum (Q&A/discussion) – to help one another.

7. BLINDING GLIMPSES OF THE OBVIOUS “BGOs”

8. BGO’s • ACEP’s ACCME accreditation = one of the College’s most important assets. • Accreditation – Not easy to earn, difficult to maintain, but easyto lose! • The ACCME (not ACEP!) is the law maker. • ACCME Essentials & their related Elements & Policies = “The Law of CMELand”. • Vague, subject to interpretation – must do our best to comply.

9. BGO’s • The ACCME CME accreditation system: developed to ensure quality CME programming. • ACEP’s mission (as an accredited provider) = assure physicians and the public that activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with ACCME guidelines. (Not rocket science! But challenging!)

10. BGO’s cont’d • ACEP’s initial purpose in life = fill the void in EM – specific education. • 1973 -- ACEP membership requirement: 150 hours of EM postgrad education every 3 years. • Ever since: dedicated to provide the highest quality EM educational courses, products and learning experiences available in EM.

11. BGO’s cont’d • The national org. believes in joint sponsoring CME with chapters. • Enhances physician education; better patient care. • Enables chapters to add value to their educational meetings and enduring products. • We ALL need to understand – w/ every jointly sponsored activity – ACEP puts its name, reputation and its ACCME accreditation on the line.

12. BGO: Non-compliance = ACCME Probation, Suspension, or Termination!

13. The “not so obvious”! NSO’s

14. NSO’s • When auditing, the ACCME does not distinguish between ACEP events and events ACEP jointly sponsors with chapters. • To the ACCME, every activity ACEP jointly sponsors with its chapters is an ACEP event! • Jointly sponsored activities are subject to the same scrutiny; must comply with ALL of the same requirements!

15. NSO’s cont’d • National ACEP is not the lawmaker; it is, however, charged with enforcement. • Policies/procedures include requirements over/above those required by the ACCME to ensure support of the College’s mission/vision statements, objectives, and membership requirements. All CME activities must be directly related to Emergency Medicine and be planned/implemented by EM professionals.

16. NSO’s cont’d Per ACCME’s guidelines, a single jointly sponsored activity found to be in non-compliance during ACEP’s reaccreditation could result in placing our accreditation in jeopardy. Serious stuff, folks.

17. NSO’s cont’d If we don’t enforce/comply – disaster is the potential! If forced to choose between loss of accreditation and ending the joint sponsorship program… Imaginethe impact !

18. NSO’s cont’d • Scientific Assembly and other ACEP educational meetings and enduring materials would not be able to offer AMA Category I CME credit! • Chapters would not be able to obtain AMA credit for their events and enduring materials from the College. • Third party sponsorships of chapter events would not be possible. Clearly, no one wants any of this to happen! (Least of all our members!)

19. Let’s turn now to ACEP’s“Joint Sponsorship CME Process” “I promise you, we are not trying to be the bane of your existence or add to your workload. We are simply trying to do what must be done and trying to do it the best way that we know how. But we need your support and cooperation. Joint sponsorship means joint responsibility. It is at least a 50-50 proposition.” Tom Werlinich Associate Executive Director ACEP Educational Products Division

20. Joint Sponsorship Applications • Submit applications for CME approval in a timely manner. • Incomplete applications can NOT be processed for CME. • Do not make us chase you. Non-complying/incomplete documentation will prevent applications from being given timely approval. (We’ve no choice!) • Not trying to be hard nosed. Just trying to meet ACCME requirements. • Please work with us on this. Don’t curse us when we call or write.

21. Let’s walk through the app. process and responsibilities… • Proper Application. • Chapter responsibilities. • National staff responsibilities. • NER (ACEP’s National Education Representative responsibilities). • Accreditation Oversight Subcommittee responsibilities. • Post activity chapter responsibilities. • National ACEP final responsibilities. • Data in ACCME annual reports must match the data presented during the corresponding reaccreditation cycle.

22. Now, let’s shift gears -- focus on what’s NEW from ACCME… Really two main changes: • Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest (“COI”). • Outcomes measurement requirements.

23. Identifying & Resolving COI • Financial Relationships: the individual benefits by receiving salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest or other financial benefit from a commercial interest. • COI exists when the individual can affect CME content about products or services of that commercial interest.

24. COI (cont’d) Disclosure of any/all COI is mandatory Written proof of disclosure is mandatory – whether COI exists or not! Participant disclosure: • Disclosure must be in writing to audience before CME activity indicating what was disclosed or that there was nothing to disclose; no verbal disclosures at the podium. • Copy of all disclosures must be in file. • Who must disclose? All faculty, authors, and planners. • COI must (now) be resolved.

25. Resolving COI in CME • Must identify and resolve all conflicts of interest prior to the activity. • Options: • Replace the faculty member. • Discuss ACCME requirements to be free of any commercial content or bias; document the discussion. (See ACEP policy and form) • Suspend offenders from serving in future CME activities. • Courses with last minute faculty withdrawal must be cancelled – no verbal disclosure from the podium.

26. The “HOT SPOTS” • Late submissions – Plan ahead! Watch submission vs. program start dates; suggested timelines can be found in CME handbook; please keep in mind that all transfer of documentation to/from NER is conducted via regular mail (not e-mail). • Incomplete applications – please do not submit documentation piecemeal.

27. General “HOT SPOTS” • Planning meeting minutes for 3rd party programs (NER involvement). • MOU for 3rd party programs – draft must be submitted for approval prior to obtaining signatures. ACEP is the last party to sign. • Needs assessment for all programs (“Professional Practice Gaps”) – must reflect “need” not “want”. • Measurable Learning Objectives for all programs (not teaching objectives). • Promotional brochure draft content approval & submission of final samples for all programs. • Proper ACCME credit statement used! • Faculty Disclosures - Watch signature date! Must be dated prior to activity and reflect correct activity title.

28. General “HOT SPOTS”, cont. • No CME credit for testing. • CME credit for introduction/conclusion/Q&A sessions, etc. will be considered if measurable learning objectives are provided that support “new learning material” not previously covered during the activity. • Payment must be received with application package or Chapter will be direct billed. • No Excel spreadsheets accepted; please configure into Word/PDF format. • Website links not acceptable for supporting documentation; you must provide us with 2 hard copies. • Supporting documentation listed in body of e-mail, on cover sheet, or note paper, etc. will not be accepted.

29. Meeting Specific “HOT SPOTS” • Post activity report/analysis due within 60 days. • Signed faculty COI disclosures.

30. Enduring Material Specific “HOT SPOTS” • Signed faculty COI disclosures to be submitted with application. • Faculty CV’s are required with application. • Quarterly post activity report/analysis.

31. Questions Submitted • Why has ACEP changed policy/tightened up so much? • Can we go somewhere else for our AMA credit?

32. OPEN FORUM