FAQs

The following represent some of the most frequently asked questions about continuing education approval program, criteria, and policies.

What is Joint Sponsorship?

The ACCME defines Joint Sponsorship as “Sponsorship of a CME activity by two institutions or organizations when only one of the institutions or organizations is accredited. The accredited provider must take responsibility for a CME activity when it is presented in cooperation with a non-accredited institution, or organization and must use the appropriate accreditation statement. A commercial interest cannot take the role of non-accredited entity in a joint sponsorship relationship.

What is a Co-Provider?

CFMC and your company enter into an agreement to become sponsors to co-provide your nursing educational activity. CFMC is an approved provider of nursing contact hours, when contracting with an organization who is not accredited to provide CNE.

How much does it cost to accredit my activity with CFMC?

The cost to accredit activities is dependant on many factors including the number of CE credit hours offered as well as the number of participants. The CFMC CE department can help better determine your cost. Please contact Lorraine Pickrell or complete the Request for More Information form so we may provide you with an estimate of the joint sponsor fees.

What is outcomes measurement?

A shift in CE is emphasizing the goal of asking physicians to assess their own learning needs in relation to their particular professional settings and challenges. CE has moved from teacher-focused to learner-focused The first step in outcomes measurement is a Statement of Intent immediately after an education activity. A physician assesses his/her “intent to change/improve” based on the CE activity just completed. The second point is after a period of time following an educational event, generally 3 or 4 months, when a physician is contacted, usually by e-mail, and asked to answer a short survey that focuses on how the learner has made changes or improvements in his practice or special setting. The survey asks the physician to consider how he has applied his learning to the problems or systems of his setting or to the direct care of patients.

Do I have to evaluate my activity?

Yes, evaluations are a required element of all accrediting agencies. Completing this will not only keep you compliant, but will give you an opportunity to make improvements.

What are enduring materials?

The ACCME defines them as “Enduring materials are printed, recorded or computer assisted instructional materials which may be used over time at various locations and which in themselves constitute a planned CME activity. Examples of such materials for independent physician learning include: programmed texts, audio-tapes, videotapes and computer assisted instructional materials which are used alone or in combination with written materials.

Can planning for an educational activity be done via conference call or e-mail rather than in person?

Yes. Just as the ways of presenting continuing education are changing in this age of distance technology-audio conferences, teleconferences, electronic mail, planning does not need to take place face-to-face.

Can presenters obtain contact hour credit for a continuing education activity they present?

No. The Commission on Accreditation educational designs focus on the learner, and only the learner who successfully completes an educational activity should receive contact hours. Presenters are selected for their knowledge and expertise in the content area. Just as faculty at colleges or universities do not receive semester credits for the courses they teach, continuing education presenters do not receive contact hours for their presentations.

Can a “live” presentation be taped and given for credit later?

Yes. The provider must determine however, whether the taped activity is still provider paced, an ED I activity, just as the live presentation was, or whether the intent is now for it to be a learner-paced activity, ED II. If the activity will be used independently by the learner later at the learner’s own pace, this is considered to be a different learning activity, and the provider must develop the tape into an ED II activity, including pilot testing of the teaching/learning materials, before awarding contact hours.

Can a participant who attends only a portion of an activity receive credit?

The provider should base this decision on its own policies and procedures and the criteria for verifying participation and successful completion of the activity. Was the intent of the activity that the learner achieve all objectives? Or, attend 90 percent of the activity? Or, was the activity designed to allow for distinct sessions, each with its own set of objectives? In which case it is necessary to award different number of contact hours based on the number of sessions attended.