CCMEP A Certification Program for CME Professionals

CCMEP

A Certification Program for CME Professionals

Serving the Public - Advancing the Profession

Why certification?

Quality CME is vital to quality patient care, as recognized by many groups:

States – credits for re-licensure [MOL]Specialty societies and Boards [MOC]Hospitals [credentialing committees] Institute of Medicine [5 core competencies]JCAHO [national patient safety goals]

Value Proposition: The Public Certification will benefit the public by:

Providing standards for a self-regulated enterprise that impacts health care

Creating an objective, independent program that qualifies persons who develop CME for physicians

Offering a measure of assurance that CME activities honor FDA and HHS-OIG guidelines

Encouraging professionalism among persons who migrate into the CME community

Value Proposition: The Workers Certification will benefit persons who develop,

administer, market, fund CME activities by:

Positioning CME as a career pathAcknowledging excellenceMotivating new learning, self-assessmentServing as a rationale for promotionProviding evidence of competence and portability of skills when job hunting

Value Proposition: Employers

Certification will benefit accredited providers by:

Giving objective evidence of continuous quality improvement within the organization

Providing rationale for promoting staff

Encouraging professional development

Sharpening skill sets

Raising the quality of CME programming

Aiding in screening job candidates

Value Proposition: Grantors

Certification will benefit commercial supporters by:

Demonstrating intent to “do the right thing”

Reducing risk of non-compliance

Responding to requirements of HHS-OIG Compliance Program

Fulfilling Corporate Integrity Agreements

Why now?

The integrity of the CME Enterprise is being called into questionWho is funding CME and what is their

agenda? What is the prevalence of bias?Who should be producing CME activities?

In the Beginning … Feb 2005

Reviewed models of certification Conducted a SWOT analysis

Powerful S&O; manageable W&T Drafted the vision, mission and goals Reviewed a 3-year plan Decided to move forward Two-day retreat; 11 attendees

Key Recommendations Incorporate as a nonprofit 501(c)(3)

organization Develop core criteria for competencies Contract with test developers to design

and validate the exam Be self-sufficient >3 years

The Goal of Certification

To provide a method of measuring competencewhereby employers, grantors, and the public

can be assured that the person planning, implementing, and evaluating a CME activity

has a minimum level of relevant education,experience, and knowledge.

Benefits of Being Certified Per NOCA

Enhance employment opportunities

Assist employers in making more informed hiring decisions

Protect the general public from incompetent and unfit practitioners

Establish a professional standard for individuals in a particular field

The Certification Model

Scope of the Exam: Content Outline Domains

Adult learning principles 15%

Educational interventions 30%

Relationships with stakeholders 10%

Leadership/administration 25% and management

CME environment 20%

The Certification Cycle

How to Register for the Exam

FIRST: Read the CANDIDATES HANDBOOK

1. Fill out Eligibility Criteria Worksheet.

2. Submit Application Form online.

3. Register online for a date you choose, at a testing center near you.

4. Submit credit card payment.

5. Receive Letter of Admission via email.

Details, details - Four “windows” each year

from the 13th to the 30th of March, June, September entire month of December

Deadlines for registering The last day of the preceding month

2008 Exams - Earlybird Fee $350 + $50 Nonrefundable Processing Fee

2009 $400 + $50 Nonrefundable Processing Fee

www.NC-CME.org