How do I know if the activity is or isn't related to the business lines of an ineligible company?
Standard 3 states that an activity is considered to be related to the business lines of an ineligible company when the content provides "any opportunity for the individual to insert commercial bias towards the products of the company". They advise erring on the caution when determining relevance, since the protection of the learners should be prioritized over the inclusion of faculty members.
Overall, the ACCME states that the content drives this decision moreso than does the profession or area of specialization. You can find more information and specific case scenarios in their online guide. (Examples of Content that Is/Is Not Related to Ineligibility)
Do I have to identify, mitigate, and disclose every relevant financial relationship I encounter?
Standard 3 is dedicated to the identification, mitigation, and disclosure of relevant financial relationships, and making sure that learners receive disclosure information before they engage with the educational content. It does outline three exceptions, however, for when providers do NOT need to identify, mitigate, or disclose relevant financial relationships:
- Accredited education that is non-clinical, such as leadership or communication skills training.
- Accredited education where the learner group is in control of content, such as a spontaneous case conversation among peers.
- Accredited self-directed education where the learner controls their educational goals and reports on changes.
(Standard 3: Identify, Mitigate, and Disclose Relevant Financial Relationships)
