CERTIFICATION OF CME CERTIFICATION OF CME PROFESSIONALSPROFESSIONALS::

Progress Toward a National Progress Toward a National Credentialing ProgramCredentialing Program

January 19, 2007January 19, 2007

Alliance for CME Annual ConferenceAlliance for CME Annual Conference

Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ

Jack Kues, PhDJack Kues, PhD Assistant Dean for CME, Univ of Cincinnati Assistant Dean for CME, Univ of Cincinnati

College of Medicine; President, NC-CMECollege of Medicine; President, NC-CME

Marissa Seligman, PharmDMarissa Seligman, PharmD VP & Compliance Officer, M/C CommunicationsVP & Compliance Officer, M/C Communications

/Pri-Med Institute; Secretary, NC-CME/Pri-Med Institute; Secretary, NC-CME

Judy Ribble, PhD, FACMEJudy Ribble, PhD, FACME Executive Director, NC-CMEExecutive Director, NC-CME

PresentersPresenters

Objectives for this presentationObjectives for this presentation

… … you will be able to:you will be able to:

1.1. Understand the current initiative to create a certification for Understand the current initiative to create a certification for CME ProfessionalsCME Professionals

2.2. Describe how a certification program can benefit CME Describe how a certification program can benefit CME Professionals, their employers, and the general publicProfessionals, their employers, and the general public

3.3. Assess the value of CME Certification for you and your Assess the value of CME Certification for you and your organizationorganization

  

Past State of CMEPast State of CME

AMA PRA Credit SystemAMA PRA Credit System– Read AMA PRA manualRead AMA PRA manual

ACCME accreditation ACCME accreditation – EssentialsEssentials– Standards for Commercial SupportStandards for Commercial Support

Current State of CMECurrent State of CME

New ACCME accreditation criteriaNew ACCME accreditation criteria– Including recent changes in SCSIncluding recent changes in SCS

Increased external scrutiny of CMEIncreased external scrutiny of CME– FDAFDA– OIGOIG– PressPress– CongressCongress

Changes in credentialing of physiciansChanges in credentialing of physicians– MOCMOC

Increased emphasis on performance/quality improvement by other Increased emphasis on performance/quality improvement by other regulatory bodiesregulatory bodies– JCAHOJCAHO– Specialty BoardsSpecialty Boards

Formalization of commercial supportFormalization of commercial support– Grant applicationsGrant applications– Post activity auditsPost activity audits

New Skill RequirementsNew Skill Requirements

PhysicianPhysicianEducatorEducatorResearcherResearcherGrant writerGrant writerLawyerLawyerAccountantAccountantIT ExpertIT ExpertEvent PlannerEvent Planner

CME as a ProfessionCME as a Profession

What is a Profession….What is a Profession….– “… “… an occupation that requires extensivean occupation that requires extensive trainingtraining and … and …

specializedspecialized knowledge …knowledge …

– … … andand usually has ausually has a professional association,professional association, ethical codeethical code andand process ofprocess of certificationcertification oror licensinglicensing.” .”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profession

Reasons for CertificationReasons for Certification

Formally recognize the boundaries of our Formally recognize the boundaries of our content/responsibilitycontent/responsibility

Address issues of public scrutinyAddress issues of public scrutiny

Uniform level of competenceUniform level of competence

Confidence by CME professionalsConfidence by CME professionals– (…that they have the appropriate skills/knowledge)(…that they have the appropriate skills/knowledge)

Protect the integrity of CME ProgramsProtect the integrity of CME Programs

Value of CME Professional Value of CME Professional CertificationCertification

For the CME ProfessionalFor the CME Professional– Clarifies skills/knowledge/competenciesClarifies skills/knowledge/competencies– Codifies a path for continuing educationCodifies a path for continuing education– Facilitates communication between individuals Facilitates communication between individuals

of similar trainingof similar training– Creates value when job searchingCreates value when job searching– Creates potential for career pathCreates potential for career path– Distinguishes you from uncertified individualsDistinguishes you from uncertified individuals

Value of CME Professional Value of CME Professional CertificationCertification

For EmployersFor Employers– Providing evidence of continuous Providing evidence of continuous

improvementimprovement– Screening criteria of potential employeesScreening criteria of potential employees– Increases comfort levelIncreases comfort level– Reduces liability and risk of non-complianceReduces liability and risk of non-compliance

Value of CME Professional Value of CME Professional CertificationCertification

For accrediting/regulatory For accrediting/regulatory organizations/bodiesorganizations/bodies– Assurance of dissemination and Assurance of dissemination and

understanding of regulations, rules and understanding of regulations, rules and guidelinesguidelines

– Improves complianceImproves compliance– Facilitates communicationFacilitates communication

Current State of CertificationCurrent State of Certification

Creation of NC-CME (National Creation of NC-CME (National Commission for Certification of CME Commission for Certification of CME Professionals, Inc.)Professionals, Inc.)– Mission developmentMission development

Initial discussions with other CME orgs.Initial discussions with other CME orgs.

Advisory BoardAdvisory Board

Working committeesWorking committees

Current State of CertificationCurrent State of Certification

Development of criteria for certificationDevelopment of criteria for certification– ExamExam– ExperienceExperience– EducationEducation

Grandfathering criteriaGrandfathering criteria

Thank you.Thank you.

To download this slide presentationTo download this slide presentationgo to: go to: www.NC-CME.orgwww.NC-CME.org

National Commission National Commission for Certification of CME Professionalsfor Certification of CME Professionals