AOE Compliance Connection

Welcome to the April edition of AOE’s monthly newsletter! This edition of AOE Compliance Connection features an AMA announcement of a new grant program and a summary of the latest ACCME “Coffee with Graham” podcast, focusing on growth and innovation in a quickly shifting and uncertain landscape. Also, we kick off a series exploring the timeline and initial steps surrounding joint providership. Make sure you and your team are following AOE on social media for weekly compliance tips, reminders, and other compliance-related information!

ACCME President & CEO Graham McMahon released a new podcast episode addressing the shifting environment surrounding CE. In his latest “Coffee with Graham” episode, he shares insights on strategic growth, innovation, and the future of continuing medical education in an uncertain landscape.

Listen to the full episode (22 minutes) here.

Summary: McMahon opens with a quick analysis of the current state of CE and admires the ample opportunity in front of providers. “We are architects of our own success,” he declares, citing the open framework that leaves room for innovation and growth. The current “trust and verify” model creates a dynamic environment for creativity. He refers to record levels of continuing education consumption, drawing the conclusion that this indicates a thirst for learning, mastery, curiosity. In summary: when the CE community is allowed to innovate – learners will respond!

Dr. McMahon discusses the role of change – specifically, remarkable, disruptive change – on the CE community, citing the COVID era. The impact it had on continuing education is still rolling out today, in the COVID aftermath. Now, we are facing another abrupt change with the changing of political tides. McMahon clarifies that, whether it’s an appreciated or unappreciated change, it IS a disruption, and a particularly unpredictable one.

He acknowledges that funding for academic and medical education may seem easy to cut out of budgets, which may create a feeling of uncertainty, cynicism, and mistrust. This can make it significantly harder for CE providers to dream and create.

To mitigate this looming sense of fear, McMahon offers three suggestions: 1) Know your audience! Lean into the learner community as a resource. Create relationships. 2) Stay focused on long-term value and missions. The current storms are temporary. 3) Intentionally stay willing to evolve… don’t be afraid to experiment!

Overall, the episode provides valuable perspectives on navigating change and strengthening the impact of CE in the year ahead.

Interested in applying for Joint Accreditation? Below, we lay out some basic information about the application and timeline to help you get ready.

Timeline

The application process for Joint Accreditation happens in two annual cycles (beginning June 1 and also October 1). The cycle length varies depending on if you are applying for initial accreditation or reaccreditation, but typically lasts about 12 months.

Overall Framework

This PDF provides an outline of a lot of helpful information, including the history, eligibility, process, terms, timeline, and requirements for jointly accredited providers.

How to Apply

After reviewing all the components of the Joint Accreditation Framework, including reviewing the timeline, the provider can contact Joint Accreditation directly to schedule an initial conference call.

Application Steps

After that call takes place, you can expect the following stages:

• Submission of intent to apply form (including eligibility screening questions and payment of review fee).
• Submission of an activity list (including designation of IPCE activities).
• Self-study team project that reflects on its program of continuing education.
• Submission of materials including the self-study report and supporting activity files (with a fee).
• Evaluation conference call with volunteer surveyors to verify and clarify any information in the materials.
• Review of materials to a Joint Accreditation Review Committee (Joint ARC).
• Recommendation of the Joint ARC to the governing boards of ACCME, ACPE and ANCC.

Reach out to AOE for help navigating this process! We are here to help and happy to answer any questions you have.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced a new $12 million investment into the future of precision education. The goal is to incorporate more precision education into CME for physicians and into residency and medical school programs.

Precision education is defined as education that “leverages data systems and technology, including Augmented Intelligence (AI), to tailor learning experiences to individual needs, optimizing learner time and focusing on targeted areas of growth”.

The AMA offers three examples to explain more fully:

• An AI system analyzes subtle patterns in student performance by combining multiple data streams to deliver resources targeting specific clinical skill building opportunities.
• A resident receives highly specific insights about their exposure to and management of common conditions from an AI engine mining data from the electronic medical record and comparing it with what is expected for their level of training.
• A practicing physician receives curated digital content and articles indexed for relevance to their upcoming patient panel and clinical experience.

Sanjay Desai, MD, chief academic officer at the AMA explains that “precision education is the future of medical education and, when implemented widely, will result in a more effective, efficient and equitable education model that will produce the most capable physician workforce to meet the needs of our patients in the future.”

The AMA has an existing grant program (Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program), that is responsible for 10 projects receiving funding of at least $1.1 million over the next four years. The goal is to enable institutions to transform, assess, and elevate education that ultimately matter most in patient care.

Learn more about the Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program by visiting the website. Read the full press release here.

• Joint Providership Pre-Conference Session
  April 22, 2025, Chicago, IL
  Read More >>
• Learn to Thrive 2025
  April 23-25, 2025, Chicago, IL
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• 2025 Virtual ACPE Provider Conference: Elevate Your Role
  April 29, 2025
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• NCPD Accreditation 101: Building the Foundation Virtual Workshop
  May 20-21, 2025, Online
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• ACPE Self-Study Workshop
  July 23-24, 2-25, Chicago, IL
  Read More >>