The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) invited comments about the proposed revisions to the rules that protect the independence and integrity of accredited continuing education for healthcare professionals. The ACCME will accept comments until February 21, 2020, at 5 PM Central.

The proposed ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education are based on the feedback the ACCME received from the continuing education stakeholder community. They mentioned that the goal is to streamline, clarify, and modernize the Standards, and to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness in the changing healthcare environment. The initiative supports the ACCME’s strategic goal to assure the quality of accreditation.

To support stakeholder’s participation in the call for comment, the ACCME provided an information package, including:

  • the background and purpose of the proposed revisions,
  • the approach to the revision process,
  • an overview of the revisions, and
  • the proposed Standards at a glance.

Changes to the structure include:

  • New name to reflect the scope and intent of the Standards.
  • New overview to explain the principles and purpose of the Standards.
  • Re-organization beginning with Standards applicable to all accredited continuing education, followed by the Standards applicable to education that is commercially supported and education that includes associated marketing by ineligible entities.
  • Policies and definitions are integrated into the Standards to provide all relevant requirements in one document.
  • Brief introductions to each Standard, describing its overall purpose and when it is applicable.

The ACCME also introduced some new terms, including ‘(in)eligible entities and Accredited continuing education.

Detailed information is provided through https://web.cvent.com/survey/b94a9d54-8d19-44f8-9558-dddaded0e874/questions?r=6941fd0b-5271-48bf-9946-be121c84493e. Comments can also be submitted through this website.

Frederique Reijntjes | Lauren Howe
Senior Legal Consultant | Compliance Attorney

February 10, 2020