Enduring Materials

Enduring materials are an important part of many continuing education plans. The ACCME defines enduring materials as a “non-live CME activity that "endures" over time. It is most typically a videotape, monograph, or CD Rom. Enduring materials can also be delivered via the Internet. The learning experience by the physician can take place at any time in any place, rather than only at one time, and one place, like a live CME activity.”

It is important to remember that this type of continuing education has special requirements that must be met. Prior to a learner using your enduring materials for credit, the following list of required information must be communicated to the learner (from the ACCME Essential Areas and Elements).

1. Principal faculty and their credentials;
2. Medium or combination of media used;
3. Method of physician participation in the learning process;
4. Estimated time to complete the educational activity (same as number of designated credit hours);
5. Dates of original release and most recent review or update; and
6. Termination date (date after which enduring material is no longer certified for credit).

Enduring materials must be reviewed each year. Because of this, these materials can only be accredited for a maximum of one year. This allows you to review the material to make sure it is current and includes any new developments, data, or discoveries. The review date of your enduring materials, as well as the date of original release and termination date must appear on the material as required by ACCME.

You can create two separate CME opportunities from one activity. There are several ways to do this by using your live activity as a starting point for enduring materials. One way is to use video over the Internet. This use of the Internet has gained huge popularity as technology has risen to meet new demands. Video of your live activity could be turned into an enduring material as long as it meets all requirements. Researching the methods behind online video training or creating enduring materials from live activities will help give you a broader product to offer to your customers.