The report, which was sponsored by the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation, is available at
'There have been a lot of changes in CME & that were completely overlooked by the committee.'
Source DR. KENNISON
My Take
Examine Effectiveness, Cost of CME
The proposed institute could have a dramatic effect on continuing “education” requirements for internists and other health care professionals. Through the establishment of a professionally inclusive public-private institute, research on the effectiveness of continuing education models could inform the health professional community about how best to develop educational programs and continuing professional competencies.
Although interdisciplinary health team education might improve health outcomes for patients, it's difficult to assess the value of single interventions on patient outcomes. Also, each profession, such as medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, will continue to have specific needs for professional education.
Several institutions have embraced the newest standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Their modified programs involve active learning and outcomes evaluation, and avoid potential conflicts of interest associated with financial support by the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. However, in an era of economic constraints, particularly for primary care providers, new standards developed by any organization must consider not only educational efficacy but also efficiency and cost.
BARBARA SCHUSTER, M.D., is campus dean of the Medical College of Georgia/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, Athens, Ga. She reports no relevant conflicts of interest.
