Introduction

CME will be a strategic asset to improve healthcare operations and will be linked more closely with quality improvement and patient safety.  The outcome of St. Vincent’s CME activity must reflect improvement in physician knowledge. 

A needs assessment will aid in the planning and development of CME curriculum and will be done prior to each activity.  The needs assessment should identify gaps or barriers in clinical or organizational practice. The gaps can be identified through a variety of ways such as: characteristics of the patient population being served, disease states, changes in the scope of practice, new approaches in treatment, new guidelines for care, change in the process of care such as the health record, quality initiatives, cost and reimbursement issues, regulatory issues, institutional gaps identified by the CME Committee.  The gaps identified will become the objectives of the program.

Learning must occur as a result of the CME activity. An outcome assessment is mandatory for each program every time. This can be done in a variety of ways: an intent to change, pre/post tests, case based vignettes, simulations, role playing, or a wet lab. Please read the section on outcome assessments or call the CME Coordinator for more information regarding each of these choices.  Evaluations are still mandatory for each session and should remain anonymous. The new evaluation form is the preferred way to evaluate CME activities; however, additional question may be added as determined by the program planning committee. Completed outcome assessments and evaluations must be obtained from physicians prior to distributing the certificates of attendance.   

Responsibilities of CME Planner/Course Director:

Annual Meetings
Applications for large annual programs (6+hours) should be received approximately 6 months in advance.  Applications for annual programs ranging 2-5 hours in length should be received at least 3 months prior to the program.

Design brochure with the following elements:

• Correct accreditation statement
• Learning objectives
• Contact information
• Planning committee (including CME Coordinator)
• Program faculty with credentials
• Cancellation policy
• Financial support
• St. Vincent Dove logo
• Faculty disclosure

Brochures must be approved by the CME Coordinator prior to printing.

Obtain disclosures from all planning committee members and speakers prior to the activity so conflicts can be resolved.

If a pre/post test is selected as the outcome assessment, objectives, questions, and answers need to be obtained from the presenters.  It is your responsibility to develop and grade the pre/post tests.

Apply for grants and obtain a Letter of Agreement (LOA) from all commercial interests.

The outcome assessment (pre/post tests) and evaluations must be obtained from the physician before distributing certificates of attendance.

Return the sign in roster, evaluations, outcome assessment (graded pre/post tests), final printed brochure, disclosure statements, commercial support contracts (LOAs), and budget to the Medical Education Department.

Regularly Scheduled Series
If you would like to apply for CME credit for departmental meetings such as grand rounds, the application must be submitted to the Medical Education Department at least 30 days prior to the first meeting.  A needs assessment and disclosure statements are required to be submitted prior to the course date.  Annual disclosures will be accepted for these programs if the same staff or faculty always present or plan these programs.  Outcome assessments (pre/post tests), evaluations, and sign-in rosters are required for each session.  Again, outcome assessments (pre/post tests) and evaluations must be obtained from the physician before distributing certificates of attendance.  At the end of the calendar year, the CME Coordinator will contact you regarding the schedule for the upcoming year and will need to receive dates, times, and topics.  If sessions are cancelled, please notify the CME Coordinator.

The Essential Areas for Continuing Medical Education
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) is a national organization which grants accreditation status to institutions and organizations that provide CME programs. This status gives organizations the authority to grant CME Category 1 Credit for educational activities.  The essential areas are guidelines created by the ACCME and must be followed by St. Vincent Hospital when planning CME programs.  If these guidelines are not followed, St. Vincent Hospital may stand to lose the exemplary accreditation status currently awarded. It is imperative that all departments follow these guidelines.
 
To download these guidelines, please click here.

Responsibilities of the CME Committee
The CME Committee reviews each application to determine if the program meets all the accreditation guidelines as outlined in the essential areas for CME. The committee also discusses issues relevant to continuing medical education, identify areas for improvement, and suggest future program topics.  The CME Committee will monitor the quality of all programs conducted by St. Vincent Hospital and will meet on an as needed basis.
 
Responsibilities of the CME Coordinator
The CME Coordinator serves as a consultant to all CME planners regarding questions about program criteria and will monitor programs for adherence to the guidelines for accreditation. The CME Coordinator is also responsible for providing certificates of attendance and reviewing all brochures, flyers, or invitations designed to announce a CME program. Feedback on brochures will be provided by the next business day.  Please allow enough time to have materials reviewed before being printed.  Conflicts of interest will resolved by the CME Coordinator prior to the CME program.