Joint Sponsorship with Non-accredited Providers

For the benefit of our members and others interested in occupational and environmental medicine issues, ACOEM is interested in presenting quality educational programs that are consistent with our educational mission. As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), our educational offerings are designed and delivered within the parameters established by the ACCME’s Essential Areas and Policies and the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award (AMA PRA).

AMA Definition of Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME consists of educational activities that serve to maintain, develop, or increase knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships a physician uses to provide services to patients, the public, or the profession. CME represents that body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the profession of health care to the public.

Education Content
CME providers must ensure that the content of the educational activities they designate for AMA PRA Category 2 Credit(s)^TM  is scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented. Educational needs – as identified by expert opinion, prior study, or an analysis of evaluations or examinations from earlier activities – should guide activities and the development of learning objectives. Group needs can be determined from practice profiles, peer reviews, self-assessments, or case audits. New medical knowledge, responsibly presented, can serve as a basis for sponsoring a program.

Providers may certify non-clinical subjects (e.g., office management or physician-patient communication) for AMA PRA Category 2 Credit(s)^TM  , so long as these are prepared specifically for a physician audience. In addition, CME programs may describe or explain alternative health care practices, provided they also discuss the existing level of scientific evidence that supports the practices. However, education that advocates specific alternative therapies or teaches how to perform such procedures without evidence or general acceptance in the profession that supports their efficacy and safety cannot be designated for AMA PRA Category 2 Credit(s)^TM  

Responsibilities of an Accredited Organization for Joint Sponsorship
An accredited provider may jointly sponsor a CME activity with a non-accredited entity, or co-sponsor with another accredited provider, a CME activity designated for AMA PRA category 1 credit. The activity must satisfy all accreditation and AMA (PRA credit system) requirements. The accredited provider must take full responsibility for the certified activity, which includes but is not limited to planning, implementing, and evaluating the activity. The accredited provider’s name must appear prominently on all promotional materials. If more than one accredited provider sponsors an activity, then one provider should assume responsibility for the activity and designate the credit.

The Physician’s Recognition Award, August 2002

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