CERTIFICATION OF CME PROFESSIONALS: Progress Toward a National Credentialing Program January 19, 2007 Alliance for CME Annual Conference Phoenix, AZ

Jack Kues, PhD Assistant Dean for CME, Univ of Cincinnati Assistant Dean for CME, Univ of Cincinnati College of Medicine; President, NC-CME College of Medicine; President, NC-CME Marissa Seligman, PharmD VP & Compliance Officer, M/C Communications VP & Compliance Officer, M/C Communications /Pri-Med Institute; Secretary, NC-CME /Pri-Med Institute; Secretary, NC-CME Judy Ribble, PhD, FACME Executive Director, NC-CME Executive Director, NC-CME Presenters

Objectives for this presentation … you will be able to: 1. Understand the current initiative to create a certification for CME Professionals 2. Describe how a certification program can benefit CME Professionals, their employers, and the general public 3. Assess the value of CME Certification for you and your organization

Past State of CME AMA PRA Credit System –Read AMA PRA manual ACCME accreditation –Essentials –Standards for Commercial Support

Current State of CME New ACCME accreditation criteria –Including recent changes in SCS Increased external scrutiny of CME –FDA –OIG –Press –Congress Changes in credentialing of physicians –MOC Increased emphasis on performance/quality improvement by other regulatory bodies –JCAHO –Specialty Boards Formalization of commercial support –Grant applications –Post activity audits

New Skill Requirements PhysicianEducatorResearcher Grant writer LawyerAccountant IT Expert Event Planner

CME as a Profession What is a Profession…. –“… an occupation that requires extensive training and … specialized knowledge … –… and usually has a professional association, ethical code and process of certification or licensing.”

Reasons for Certification Formally recognize the boundaries of our content/responsibility Address issues of public scrutiny Uniform level of competence Confidence by CME professionals –(…that they have the appropriate skills/knowledge) Protect the integrity of CME Programs

Value of CME Professional Certification For the CME Professional –Clarifies skills/knowledge/competencies –Codifies a path for continuing education –Facilitates communication between individuals of similar training –Creates value when job searching –Creates potential for career path –Distinguishes you from uncertified individuals

Value of CME Professional Certification For Employers –Providing evidence of continuous improvement –Screening criteria of potential employees –Increases comfort level –Reduces liability and risk of non-compliance

Value of CME Professional Certification For accrediting/regulatory organizations/bodies –Assurance of dissemination and understanding of regulations, rules and guidelines –Improves compliance –Facilitates communication

Current State of Certification Creation of NC-CME (National Commission for Certification of CME Professionals, Inc.) –Mission development Initial discussions with other CME orgs. Advisory Board Working committees

Current State of Certification Development of criteria for certification –Exam –Experience –Education Grandfathering criteria

Thank you. To download this slide presentation go to: National Commission for Certification of CME Professionals