A formal audit of continuing medical education activity for license renewal

Article Abstract:

Physicians in Michigan were audited regarding their participation in continuing medical education. The law requires that a physician must participate in 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years. Physicians who renewed their medical licenses between 1987 and 1988 were asked to provide documentation concerning their participation in continuing medical education. The Michigan Board of Medicine has allocated hours of continuing medical education into six categories, including accredited sponsorship; nonaccredited sponsorship; teaching activities; writing activities; unsupervised self-assessment, self-instruction, quality assurance; and graduate medical education. The results showed that the average physician spent 175 hours participating in approved category I activities, which includes accredited sponsorship. About 53 percent of the hours were obtained in a different state, whereas only about 27 percent were spent in the home community. Almost 14 percent of physicians were initially unable to provide documentation for 150 hours of credit. Inadequate documentation or addition errors occurred in almost 73 percent of forms. Physicians should be notified early and provided with specific instructions for compliance with legislation, before they participate in studies that audit compliance with legislation. In addition, only activities in category I can be considered in studies to assess compliance because of problems with documentation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Surveys

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Continuing medical education at a crossroads

Article Abstract:

A recent study examined the compliance of physicians with legislation that mandates continuing medical education for renewal of medical licenses. Continuing medical education has been grouped into six categories, including accredited sponsorship; nonaccredited sponsorship; teaching activities; writing activities; unsupervised self-assessment, self-instruction, and quality assurance; and graduate medical education. The study showed a high level of compliance among physicians, with only five of 967 participants falling short of the requirements for category I, which consists of formal medical courses. Because of documentation problems, it was concluded that only one area of continuing medical education, category I, should be considered when evaluating compliance because of documentation problems. However, the most effective learning experience of physicians is self-education in an area of medicine that specifically relates to the needs of a patient or a practice. The extent to which a physician participates in self-education may be difficult to audit or evaluate. Self-education may involve consultation with an expert, use of an online or CD-ROM database, a literature search, or reading an appropriate text or article. Personalized learning requires motivation by the learner, involves a specific problem, and results in the meaningful use of the new knowledge. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

editorial

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Continuing medical education: unabated debate

Article Abstract:

The format, subject matter and sponsorship of continuing medical education (CME) are being discussed by physician organizations and the federal government. The House of Delegates of the American Medical Association (AMA) has reviewed the Physician's Recognition Award (PRA) certification requirements and has asked the AMA Board of Trustees for a decision. The AMA has tried to combine CME credit systems and to emphasize education that reflects patient needs and is devised by physicians. The Ad Hoc Task Force on Industry/CME Provider Collaboration developed the 'Uniform Guidelines to Be Followed by Accredited Sponsors of Continuing Medical Education' in 1992. Published results from the 1992 Congress on CME emphasize the importance of CME methods that improve medical practice methods and patient treatment and demand accreditation standards for CME providers.

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