Physicians, nurses and other professional groups receive a vast amount of sponsored educational material from pharmaceutical companies, much of which is likely to be discarded simply because of the sheer volume crossing their desks. To maximize the impact of your material, it must be of perceived benefit to the target audience.
CME accreditation of an educational initiative - whether a symposium, printed item or in electronic form - immediately establishes its scientific and educational value. In addition, completing an evaluation at an event, after reading a publication, or viewing an audio-visual program, helps US physicians accrue the CME credits necessary for renewing their medical practice licences. The same applies to physicians in those European countries with mandatory CME systems.
Gaining CME accreditation is a complex process, but at Facilitate - working with our network partners - we have the expertise to take on the burden for you. Our experience of gaining CME approval includes enduring materials, live events, and the expanding field of internet-based educational initiatives.
We have a strong understanding of the different processes involved in both USA and Europe. In the USA, we have a successful track record of collaboration with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) accredited provider, Oakstone, providing an independent approach to program development on symposia, monographs and webcasts. In addition, as Europe moves towards regional CME recognition and reciprocity between the USA and European accreditation bodies moves forward, we are at the forefront of facilitating CME activities, which can earn credits that are internationally recognized. We already have approvals from the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), which accredits CME projects for physicians throughout the EU.
From April 6, 2009, the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) will accredit e-learning for doctors in all countries and specialities throughout Europe that have a recognition agreement with the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME). This covers all non-printed materials including content delivered by recorded audio, recorded video, CD-ROM, DVD, and PDA. The decision of the UEMS to accredit e-learning is important in that it reflects the fact that 94% of doctors would prefer e-CME to live events – but until now only 30% of CME activities has included an e-learning component1.
Facilitate has thoroughly researched the UEMS accreditation process and application criteria for physician e-learning and we are delighted to add this service to our portfolio.
1. Physician Insight Survey (US, EU, Japan) Datamonitor
Facilitate have prepared a CME fact sheet that you might find useful (Acrobat file: A4 or US Letter)
