Analysis of ACCME 2021 Annual Report Data

Summary Highlights

The ACCME’s 2021 Annual Report data was released on October 5, 2022. The report highlights continued growth in the accredited CE enterprise and how accredited providers navigated the pandemic to continue to offer quality education to the healthcare community. The report analyzed data from 1,668 accredited CE providers who offered, collectively, nearly 204,000 activities. Analysis shows an increase (8.58%) in participants attending CE activities. As a continued trend, non-physician participants (56%) attending CE activities surpassed physician participants (44%). Non-physician participant interactions only slightly increased by 1.47% from 2020 to 2021, a sharp contrast of 37.55% from 2019 to 2020. The number of physician learners increased by 19.13% in 2021, a significant increase from 2020, 5.37%. The overall number of accredited CE activities increased by 18.58%, while learner participation also increased by approximately 4 million learners. Three-year trend data illustrates that the number of physician participants has increased by 25.52% while the number of non-physician participants at accredited CE activities has increased by 39.57% since 2018. Overall participation in accredited CE activities has increased each year since 2010. Total annual income reported increased by 25.34% from 2020, up by approximately $568 million. Commercial support income increased by about $172 million, an increase of 23.83% from 2020. The data in the ACCME’s report confirms the accredited CE enterprise continues to “thrive together” and make available high-quality CE activities that promote interprofessional learning and improvements across clinician competence and performance.

2021 Stats

Accredited educational activities increased by 18.58% in 2021, and overall learner interaction increased by 8.58%.
Total physician participation at CE activities increased along with non-physician participation. Non-physician participation increased by approximately 1.47% from 2020. Physician participation saw a 19.13% increase as compared to 2020.
Total commercial support contributions increased by 23.83%, an estimated $172 million.
Income from advertising/exhibits increased significantly from $220 million in 2020 to $368 million in 2021, a direct result of the shift in the pandemic and the ability to advertise and exhibit virtually.
Total annual income for CE increased by $568 million, a 25.34% increase from 2020.
Of total attendance at CE activities, 44% of attendees were physicians and 56% were non-physicians. This is a bit of shift from 2020 when 40% of attendees were physicians compared to 60% non-physicians.