 Stages
of Change
Performance Improvement CME
There is a wide variety of ways to conduct continuing education
activities. Performance Improvement CME (PI CME) is one of the most
in-depth vehicles for change. This type of CME provides a more
structured learning with a long-term process by which physicians (or
groups of physicians) learn about specific performance measures,
retrospectively assess their practice, apply the measures prospectively,
and then re-evaluate their performance. The American Medical Association
authorized PI CME for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM in 2006. Since that
time, this method of continuing education has increased in popularity
across the board due to the way it focuses on the individual learner and
ultimately affects patient outcomes. PI activities can address
structure, process or outcome of a physician’s practice that have direct
implications for patient care. The following list comprises the basic
requirements from a provider of PI CME:
- Establish an oversight mechanism that assures content integrity
of the selected evidence based performance measures.
- Provide clear instructions to the learner that define the
educational process of the PI activity (documentation, timelines,
etc.) and establish how they can claim credit.
- Validate the depth of physician participation by a review of
submitted PI activity documentation.
- Provide adequate background information so that physicians can
identify and understand the performance measures that will guide
their PI activity, and the evidence base behind those measures.
Providers may deliver this education through live activities,
enduring materials or other means.
Physicians can choose areas for improvement within their practice though
certain qualifying criteria do apply. There are three stages to PI CME,
a learner can choose to complete any or all of three stages. Each stage
qualifies for five credits, if a learner completes all three stages in
sequential order; the PI CME qualifies for the maximum 20 credits. The
three stages are as follows:
Stage A: Learning from current practice performance assessment
Assess current practice using identified performance measures,
either through chart reviews or some other appropriate mechanism.
Participating physicians should be actively involved in data
collection and analysis.
Stage B: Learning from the application of PI to patient care
Implement an intervention based on the performance measures
selected in Stage A, using suitable tracking tools (e.g., flow
sheets). Participating physicians should receive guidance on
appropriate parameters for applying an intervention and assessing
performance change, specific to the performance measure and the
physician’s patient base (e.g., how many patients with a given
condition, seen for how long, will produce a valid assessment?).
Stage C: Learning from the evaluation of the PI effort
Re-evaluate and reflect on performance in practice (Stage B), by
comparing to the assessment done in stage A. Summarize any practice,
process and/or outcome changes that resulted from conducting the PI
activity.
PI CME reflects a higher standard in learning. The difference will be
seen in the quality of patient care as well as in patient safety. CFMC
is a front runner in the nation to offer this type of credit partnering
with local and national joint sponsors since 2006. Please contact us if
this type of education is something you are interested in offering to
your physicians!
In the coming months we will be bringing you more information on PI CME
and how it can work with your CE program. For more information contact
Lorraine Pickrell by email at
lprickrell@cfmc.org.
Time
for Implementation
CME, New ACCME Criteria for 2008 and Beyond (Part III)
In part I of this series on the new ACCME criteria we looked at the
new criteria model and how it works over time. In part II we focused on
an in-depth look at the three levels of accreditation criteria. This
final installment will list the updated criteria’s Essential Areas and
their elements along with the milestones for implementation of the
updated criteria. Essential Areas and their Elements:
 ESSENTIAL AREA 1: PURPOSE AND MISSION
Element 1 – The provider must have a written statement of its
CME mission, which includes the CME purpose, content areas, target
audience, type of activities provided, and expected results of the
program.
ESSENTIAL AREA 2: EDUCATIONAL PLANNING
Element 2.1 - Use a planning process(es) that links identified
educational needs with a desired result in its provision of all CME
activities.
Element 2.2 - Use needs assessment data to plan CME
activities.
Element 2.3 - Communicate the purpose or objectives of the
activity so the learner is informed before participating in the
activity.
Element 3.3 – Present CME activities in compliance with the
ACCME’s policies for disclosure and commercial support.
[NOTE: The ACCME’s policies for disclosure and commercial support
are articulated in: (1) The Standards For Commercial Support:
Standards to Ensure Independence in CME Activities, as adopted by
ACCME in September 2004; and (2) ACCME policies applicable to
commercial support and disclosure. All materials can be found on
www.accme.org.]
ESSENTIAL AREA 3: EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT
Element 2.4 – Evaluate the effectiveness of its CME activities
in meeting identified educational needs.
Element 2.5 – Evaluate the effectiveness of its overall CME
program and make improvements to the program.
ESSENTIAL AREA 3: ADMINISTRATION
Element 3.1 – Have an organizational framework for the CME
unit that provides the necessary resources to support its mission
including support by the parent organization, if a parent organization
exists.
Element 3.2 – The provider must operate the business and
management policies and procedures of its CME program so that its
obligations and commitments are met.
All accredited providers for CME are required to meet the
requirements defined in the above Essential Areas and elements. The
timeline has all accredited organizations working toward the goal of
compliance over the next several years. Organizations becoming
accredited in November of 2008 will be required to have these updated
criteria in place.
CFMC is dedicated to meeting and exceeding the ACCME requirements for
the good of the health care community. These changes are taking place to
expand the value of your continuing education program and to create a
positive impact on the quality of patient care through continuing
education. CFMC will work closely with you to ensure all requirements
are met while maintaining the level of excellence you expect from a
joint sponsor. If you have any comments or questions on this series
please contact Lorraine Pickrell by email at
lprickrell@cfmc.org.
CFMC Announces the Big Three!
CFMC Rolls Out Three Models for Business
CFMC is a national leader and forerunner in continuing education.
Over the past 15 years, CFMC has dedicated themselves to improving
patient care through education. After carefully assessing the needs of
the health care community, CFMC responds to those needs with the
announcement of three lines of business driven to serve the community.
Summer of 2008 marks the beginning of a future filled with valuable
products that will increase the effectiveness of our customers.
Model 1: CE Accreditation, Direct and Joint Sponsoring – As a
nationally accredited organization, CFMC will serve as a joint sponsor
to your CE activity and as a partner to help you accomplish your goals.
Our tools and services not only meet recognized standards but are
customized for each customer to meet their individual needs.
Model 2: CFMC Online Health Care Educational Courses – By
combining vast experience in CE content with superb technological
resources, CFMC is able to develop and execute high quality online
health care educational courses. In today’s market, these types of
courses are a major asset to any CE program.
Model 3: Educational Events Planning – There are a multitude
of tasks to be accomplished when planning an educational event. The CE
community, like many, is now working with a smaller staff to accomplish
more goals than ever. CFMC now offers educational events planning. This
service allows you to concentrate on other tasks while feeling secure
that your event will be planned and organized down to the smallest
detail.
If you are interested in accreditation and joint sponsoring, online
health care educational courses, or educational events planning please
click here to request more information or call Lorraine Pickrell at
1-800-950-8250, ext. 3372.
New Credentials Announced
Advanced Practice Nurses Receive New Credentials
Effective January 1, 2008, The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
retired the credential APRN BC (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse,
Board Certified). The new credential for the advanced practice roles of
clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is CNS-BC (Clinical Nurse Specialist –
Board Certified). The new credentials for ANCC-certified nurse
practitioners are NP-BC (Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified).
Read more about this at ANCC.
Variety in Professional Credit
CFMC is a national accredited provider of CME and CNE. We also
partner with other organizations on a regular basis to bring you
professional credits for NAHQ, AAFP, and Pharmacy. For more information
please call Lorraine Pickrell at 1-800-950-8250, ext. 3372 or visit us
on the web www.yourCEsource.org.
Topics and Articles
If you have suggestions for newsletter topics, CME tips, CME success
stories, or if you would like to submit an article for publication
please contact us by email at
lhelseth@cfmc.org. As part of a quality improvement organization,
it is our goal to continually strive for improvement. If you have
comments or suggestions, we would like to hear from you. Visit us at
www.yourCEsource.org or contact Lorraine Pickrell at 1-800-950-8250, ext.
3139, email yourCEsource@cfmc.org.
CFMC Upcoming Educational Activities
Visit www.yourCEsource.org for a complete list of
upcoming educational activities. |
