Welcome to AOE’s March 2023 edition of AOE Compliance Connection, our monthly newsletter. In this edition, we feature new tools for ACCME providers centered on “Mastery Learning” and an AOE spotlight on one of our many services: Outsourced CE Coordination. We also continue our series on the sometimes-confusing world of employee/ownership when it comes to Standard 3! AOE is here to support and guide you and your team into compliance success. Don’t hesitate to email us at inquire@aoeconsulting.com with questions and inquiries of all types. Follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook) for weekly compliance tips and updates, as well.
ACCME Updates: New Tools for Providers
The ACCME recently added a new course to its Effective Teaching Toolkit Curriculum in ACCME Academy that features the benefits of mastery learning. The new course, “Mastery Learning for Continuing Education” introduces the concept of mastery learning to those health professionals who are, as of yet, unfamiliar with it.
Learners can expect to learn the differences between mastery learning and more traditional education models, some skills for managing assessment and feedback in this style of learning, and introductory steps towards designing a mastery learning activity of their own (along with pedagogical and curriculum design strategies).
While some ACCME Academy courses require a fee to access, this activity is free for all accredited CME providers who have an ACCME Academy user account. The course is accessible here. Users not from an accredited organization can purchase ACCME Academy courses directly from the Academy dashboard.
CE Compliance Help: Unpacking Employee/Owner Relationships, Part 3
The area of employee/owner relationships can be confusing, especially when you, as the accredited provider, are trying to determine eligibility of organizations in which employment/ownership financial relationships have been disclosed. AOE is unpacking frequently asked questions to help you stay compliant as you plan your next accredited CE initiatives.
In January, we looked at the basics of employees/owners, last month we discussed stockholders and reported stock options, and this month, we’ll explain the three exceptions to Standard 3 made by the ACCME whereby employees/owners of ineligible companies can participate as planners or faculty in specific situations.
Standard 3 focuses on the collection, identification, mitigation, and disclosure of relevant financial relationships and that CE providers are required to exclude owners or employees of ineligible companies from controlling content or participating as planners or faculty in their accredited CE initiatives.
There are three exceptions, however, when it comes to Standard 3 and employees/ownership. Employees of ineligible companies can participate as planners or faculty in these specific situations:
- Employees can participate in accredited CE when the specific activity content is not related to business lines or products of the individual’s employer or company. This is true as long as the activity content clearly does not overlap with the ineligible company’s business area. The separate content areas must be clearly documented.
- Second, employees of ineligible companies can also participate in accredited CE when the content of the specific accredited activity is limited to just basic science research and does not make any clear care recommendations. The ACCME gives a few examples of basic science research: pre-clinical research and drug discovery, or the methodologies of research. The important part of the exception is that the accredited CE does not make care recommendations.
- Third, employees of ineligible companies can participate in accredited CE when their only involvement is to participate as technicians. Participating as technicians would involve just teaching the safe and proper use of medical devices, and not recommending whether or when a device should be used.
More information about Standard 3 and the exceptions can be found here.
AOE Spotlight: Outsourced CE Coordination
At AOE, much of our focus involves improved compliance within accredited CE programs. Our success is tied to that of our clients; we are invested in making sure our clients succeed and our track record speaks for itself. We provide critical support and direction to improve education program success for our many stakeholders in the CE Enterprise. Part of our secret is that we prioritize listening to our clients and asking the right questions to fully understand and address specific needs.
One of our core offerings is Outsourced CE Coordination, which is a great fit for many of our clients. All successful CE programs require effective management at two levels: 1) oversight of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with accreditation boards, and 2) activity management to ensure consistent implementation of adopted CE policies and procedures. The implementation of policies and procedures involves compliance management and documentation at the activity planning, implementation, and reconciliation levels. As an outsourced CE Coordinator, AOE provides the project management and resources necessary to manage an accredited CE activity from start-to-finish, including:
- Documentation of all Planning Steps
- Planner and Faculty Management, Including Identification and Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships
- Review of Audience Generation and Program Materials
- Content Review (i.e. Independent Peer Review)
- On-site Activity Audits
- Evaluation Assessment & Outcomes Analysis
- Oversight of Certificate Issuance
- Activity File Close-out
Our team includes seasoned legal/regulatory and compliance professionals, CE experts, and former executive leaders of professional societies and associations. More than half our team members are Certified CE Professionals, and all our team members are process-driven, eager and ready to help you meet your compliance goals!
Upcoming Events
- CMEPalooza
April 12, 2023, Virtual Meeting
Read More >> - Alliance Industry Summit 2023
May 1-3, 2023, Philadelphia, PA
Read More >> - ACCME 2023 Meeting
May 16-18, 2023, Chicago, IL
Read More >> - 2023 Joint Accreditation Leadership Summit
May 15-16, 2023, Chicago, IL
Read More >> - ACPE CPE Administrator Workshop
Jun 27-28, 2023, Chicago, IL
Registration information coming soon!
