CME reaccreditation wins commendation
One of few programs to receive highest rating
Continuing medical education has long been a requirement for physicians in the United States. To remain licensed, every physician has to take 50 hours of such education annually. The Boston University School of Medicine offers education credits for physicians at home and abroad through its Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME). The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education recently recognized the work of the office by giving it an accreditation with commendation, the highest rating for a continuing medical education provider.
Providers of continuing medical education must be reaccredited every four years, but MED’s new designation entitles it to six years of accreditation before the next reaccreditation process begins.
Of the 50 hours of continuing education physicians need to take annually, 20 hours must be formal educational activities, such as conferences, videos, and online learning, with the remaining 30 hours completed independently. CME provides credits in the first category by sponsoring conferences and lectures, supplying accredited journals and materials like videotapes and CDs, and offering Internet-based activities and education, according to Julie White, administrative director of CME.
“We’re so thrilled,” she says. “We have an outstanding faculty here, and it’s just really great that we’re getting recognition for the extraordinary activities that we’re able to sponsor.” She and Lara Zisblatt, CME program administrator, are responsible for the rigorous self-study required for the reaccreditation process. White says that CME’s “outstanding administrative procedures,” needs assessment activities, and thorough program evaluations all contributed to winning the award.
According to Barry Manuel, a MED professor and CME associate dean, CME has been recognized previously with “exemplary compliance” in several areas, a distinction it also received this year.
“We are very pleased for having been recognized for our educational activities,” Manuel says. “Our office has always tried to be in the vanguard of continuing medical education, including not only formal lectures and courses, but also audio, video, and print materials and Internet education. Receiving something with commendation puts us among a very elite group of providers.”