From CME Police to CME Star
How many of you feel like your committee of physician volunteers look at you and see this:
CME police
It’s not very comfortable to wear that hat day in and day out.
There are ways to re-frame your position, however, so that you can demonstrate the value of the CME planning and documentation process.
I recommend a basic training (1 hour webinar or in person) for any group of new or revamped CME stakeholders. Sometimes, this training starts with the image of the Wall Street Journal, and the question “Does anyone wish to see our organization’s name in a headline here?” After reminding (or enlightening) these stakeholders about why the rules exist, suddenly, we are much more clearly on the same page – because none of us want biased education to be presented in the name of our organization.
Second, I give an overview of the vernacular used in CME.
(By the way, how often do we inadvertently contribute to our own problems? Here’s an example of what not to write to your Course Director:
“Dear Dr. Scott,Â
The ACCME requires that you review the attached disclosures for your planned enduring material. If you find COI, you will need to review the presentation to ensure we stay compliant with the SCS.”
The bold words are NOT self-explanatory. Nothing alienates a motivated, intelligent volunteer more than feeling like they cannot understand what in the world your email means!)
Finally, I outline the process our organization follows to ensure compliance with all of the rules we must follow, demonstrating what we need from the planners and what we, from the CME office, might provide. Â Often, when I show examples of the treasure-trove of data that I can provide from post-activity evaluations, I see wonder and excitement in the eyes of previously less-than-enthusiastic committee members.
The results: more engaged and empowered stakeholders. And maybe a new hat for you.
CME star
If you’d like help putting together a training like the one I describe, please contact me!