The team at CTC has been developing accredited continuing medical education (CME) programs for nearly 30 years. These years of experience have taught us so much - from the basics of what a CME program is to the key things to consider when developing one and how to make it successful. The road to setting up an accredited CME program can be long and complex, but with almost three decades of experience under our belt, we know just how to develop an accredited program that is engaging, educational and highly relevant.
What is an Accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program?
An accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is a set of structured educational activities, like a virtual workshop or a roundtable discussion, designed to enhance the knowledge of healthcare professionals. Accredited CMEs have been recognized by an accrediting body such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), and as such, it adheres to strict standards.
Accredited CMEs are known for being reputable, trusted and non-partisan by addressing the concerns of skeptics of the audience. Often, accredited CMEs are meant to address gaps in clinical knowledge or practice by introducing new research or technologies.
Why is Continuing Medical Education Important?
Continuing Medical Education is imperative in the dynamic and ever-changing field of healthcare. CME allows for continuous learning, helping healthcare professionals stay on top of ever changing practices and medical innovations. They also provide professional development opportunities for healthcare professionals, helping them expand their knowledge and acquire new skills. Accredited CMEs in particular are often required by certain medical licensing boards or professional organizations.
For example, here's a case study of an engaging CME program focused on ADHD management for pharmacists. Dually accredited by CCCEP and OPQ, the CME enabled pharmacists across the country to grow their understanding of ADHD management and their role through interactive, self-learning virtual modules. This CME was incredibly important in ensuring Canadian pharmacists had the knowledge and tools to manage patients with ADHD.
How to Pursue Accreditation for Your CME Program
When deciding to pursue accreditation for a Continuing Medical Education program, it’s important to first research and become familiar with accreditation standards set by recognized accrediting bodies in the relevant field. By doing so, you’ll be able to identify which organization must be involved in the accreditation process and understand the criteria they have for your CME.
While this list isn’t comprehensive, here are some of the key accrediting bodies for Continuing Medical Education courses in Canada:
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
- College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
- The Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP)
In addition, each province and territory in Canada has its own medical regulatory authority that oversees and accredits CME activities within that province.
It's important to note that these accrediting bodies may have specific criteria, guidelines, and processes for approving and accrediting CME activities. Healthcare professionals seeking CME credits should ensure that the activities they participate in are accredited by one or more of these recognized accrediting bodies to fulfill their continuing education requirements and maintain professional certifications or licenses.
Once you’ve identified which accrediting body must be involved and the criteria for accreditation, you must develop your program using evidence-based and relevant content for your target audience. Make sure that your program is highly engaging and interactive, promoting active learning and participation for your healthcare professionals. Your CME must also include some sort of evaluation component - whether its participant assessment through a test or quiz or another evaluation method.
Once your program is ready and you’ve confirmed it meets the criteria for accreditation, you can submit your CME to the accrediting body for evaluation. You’ll need to provide complete documentation about your program and how it meets the criteria outlined by the accrediting body.
Developing an accredited Continuing Medical Education program requires planning, innovation and high-quality educational content. While it can be a lot of work, it is worthwhile to ensure Canada’s healthcare professionals are provided with unbiased, relevant and important medical knowledge. If you’d like to learn more about creating an accredited CME program, or would like to talk to CTC about how we can help you with your next project, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free quote, or sign up for our newsletter so we can keep you up-to-date on industry news, our offerings and much more. Just for doing so, we’ll plant 10 trees on your behalf as part of our environmental protection efforts.
