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European CME Forum: First Annual Meeting
An in-depth report from the First Annual Meeting of the European CME Forum organized by NetworkPharma and Siyemi Learning, held in London 4-5 November 2008. Written by Eugene Pozniak.
The aim of the first meeting of the European CME Forum was to bring together all the stakeholders of European continuing medical education (CME), examine the current picture of CME (specifically in Europe), promote dialogue between the various parties involved and review the issues affecting its development. This included representation from the CME accreditation bodies, European medical societies and other healthcare professionals, members from the pharmaceutical industry and the service sector: the agencies included a few organisations that describe themselves as CME providers, as well as publishers, medical communications and public relations agencies.
The audience was overwhelmingly European, with a few delegates travelling from the USA and Canada, and one from Singapore.
The meeting took place over 2 days and was structured so that it addressed the widest scope of topics that touch on European CME. Each day followed the overall structure of theory - practice - application, with presentations covering the accreditation process (including regulatory and approval issues), how CME is viewed and used by the healthcare professionals themselves and, lastly, a review of several examples of educational activities that had been accredited for CME in Europe.
CONTENTS
European CME Forum: First Annual Meeting Programme
Introduction
About the author
Developing the meeting programme
National CME
European Specialty Accreditation Boards
European Accreditation Council for CME
CME in practice
UK CPD supported by the pharmaceutical industry: the practical interface
The view from pharma
CME experience: the learners
CME case studies
Conclusion
References
Further reading/online resources
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eugene Pozniak is Programme Director of the European CME Forum and also Managing Director of Siyemi Learning, an independent European CME provider. He has worked in the medical sector for 20 years. Following a degree in chemistry, he initially worked across various functions in marketing and medical communications. Since 2000, he has been working exclusively in CME.
As well as managing CME-accredited meetings, Eugene developed the first pan-European CME-accredited e-learning (launched in 2002), national CME-accredited portals and has been working on European journal CME. In addition, he has developed a number of bespoke CME and ‘non-CME-non-promotional’ projects. Eugene has experience of CME across Europe, the USA, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
In 2006, Eugene founded Siyemi Learning, an independent provider of CME programmes and related services; he also supports the European CME-CPD Academy, an independent platform for accredited e-learning in Europe.
The European landscape for continuing medical education (CME) is diverse and complex. The absence of a common framework across the region has led to individual countries developing their own national objectives and building a range of systems, each at differing stages of advancement. While similarities in approach exist, the key European markets demonstrate notable differences in both style and in how CME is being implemented. Nevertheless, a widespread appetite for collaboration and sharing best practice is driving European CME forward.
Despite such a fragmented and disparate environment, efforts to develop a recognised system for CME accreditation across Europe and to establish a harmonisation of credits and practices are progressing. Definitions of CME remain subjective and discussions continue as to whether it should just address levels of knowledge and competence, or go further and have a positive effect on clinical performance. Determining which activities actually constitute CME is similarly challenging: activities such as e-learning promise to provide the engine for CME in the future, whereas the accreditation of satellite symposia remains contentious. Meanwhile, traditional activities such as conferences and workshops continue to dominate.
In such an evolving climate, two central issues for CME development in Europe resonate loudly: the quality of programmes and the impact they have on clinical practice. Stakeholders remain determined to ensure that education is not only free from commercial bias but that it also promotes participation that leads to better clinical outcomes.
This Conference Insights report provides an in-depth review of the first annual meeting of the European CME Forum held in London, UK on 4-5 November 2008. It examines the development of CME activity across Europe, providing perspectives from the full range of stakeholders: healthcare professionals, medical societies, pharmaceutical companies, medical communications agencies and CME accreditation bodies. It explores the need to set quality standards in European CME, and to achieve harmonisation across the region. It shares implementation strategies and assesses how best to measure their success. It also looks at the critical aspect of funding, providing a basis for guidelines on how to manage conflicts of interest, avoid commercial bias and, crucially, raise standards. Clearly, maintaining a balanced relationship between healthcare professionals, CME organisations and the pharmaceutical industry remains pivotal to the future of CME.
PROGRAMME
Session 1: CME today
The current status of CME in Germany Dr Jörg Ansorg CEO, Professional Board of Surgeons, Germany
The changing picture of CME in Italy Dr Alfonso Negri Committee Member Italian Federation of Medical Societies - FISM, Secretary General of The Rome CME/CPD Group
Where are we now with CME in France? Dr Bernard Ortolan President, National Council for Independent Physician CME, France
Developments in CME in Spain Dr Hèlios Pardell Director, Spanish Accreditation Council for CME, Executive Secretary of the Catalan Council for CME Presented on the day by Juan de la Fuente
How CPD can support revalidation for GPs Prof. Nigel Sparrow Chairman, Professional Development Board, Royal College of General Practitioners, UK
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in secondary care Dr Alistair Thomson Chair, Directors of CPD Subcommittee (DOCPD), Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, UK
Continuing Medical Education in the United States Lawrence Sherman FACME CCMEP President and CEO, The Physicians Academy for Clinical and Management Excellence, USA
Session 2: CME theory and practice - key considerations in promoting CME best practice
The accreditation of e-learning materials by the EACCME Dr Edwin Borman Chair of UEMS Working Group on CME/CPD
ECCO: addressing educational needs in European oncology Michel Ballieu CEO, European CanCer Organisation
CME and CPD in Europe: present structures and future developments - the view from neurology and neurooncology Prof. Dr Wolfgang Grisold EANO board member, Chairman UEMS oncology board and section, Vice Chair of WFN education committee, member of ECCO education committee, ACOE, and past chairman of EFNS education committee
The ESMO CME programme Dr Svetlana Jezdic ESMO Head Office Medical Oncologist Note: Dr Jezdic was unable to make this presentation on the day.
Setting quality standards in European CME Dr Alfonso Negri Committee Member Italian Federation of Medical Societies - FISM, Secretary General of The Rome CME/CPD Group
How CPD can improve practice Prof. Nigel Sparrow Chairman, Professional Development Board, Royal College of General Practitioners, UK
The e-learning experience of the Professional Board of German Surgeons Dr Jörg Ansorg CEO, Professional Board of Surgeons, Germany
Session 3: CME experience - planning and implementing a CME programme
Clinical management of ICU patients at risk of Candida infection Lawrence Sherman FACME CCMEP President and CEO, The Physicians Academy for Clinical and Management Excellence, USA Cliff Wyatt Director, Healthcare 21, UK
Session 4: Supporting CME today - the picture in the UK and across Europe
UK CPD supported by the pharmaceutical industry: the practical interface Chaired by Dr Edwin Borman Chair of UEMS Working Group on CME/CPD Dr Richard Tiner Medical Director, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Dr Ian Starke Director of CPD, Royal Colleges of Physicians Dr Alistair Thomson Chair, Directors of CPD Subcommittee (DOCPD), Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, UK
univadis® - a journey towards more value in eCME Dr Thomas Kellner Manager, univadis®, Europe, Middle East, Africa & Canada, MSD
It is all about the patient Dr Erin Kingshill Director, Global Medical Education, Eli Lilly and Company
The role of biomedical industry in post-graduate medical education in Europe, Middle-East & Africa: firewalls or self-regulation Vincent Nys Senior Director EMEA Health Care Compliance, Janssen-Cilag EMEA
Session 5: CME theory and practice - speaking a common language across European CME
The Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE) Prof. Dieter Hossfeld Chair, Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe
Evolutions on the CME-CPD scene in Europe Dr Bernard Maillet Secretary General UEMS-EACCME
The European Accreditation Committee in CNS (EACIC) Dr Daniel Souery Scientific Secretary, European Accreditation Council in CNS
The European Board for Accreditation in Pneumology (EBAP) Prof. Robin Stevenson President, European Board for Accreditation in Pneumology
European Board for Accreditation in Cardiology (EBAC) Dr Peter E Polak Chairman, European Board of Accreditation in Cardiology
Session 6: CME experience - delivering CME programmes in Europe today
Computer based or traditional CME? A comparison of knowledge gain and learning efficiency Prof. Dr Peter Henning Director, Institute for Computers in Education, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Should pharma be involved in implementing CME? Emma Sergeant Managing Director, Ogilvy Healthworld UK
Education in mental health for primary care doctors Juan de la Fuente Director General, Wolters Kluwer Health, Spain
QUAIME - innovative eLearning world Dr Peter Posel CEO, QUAIME, Switzerland
Two CME accredited satellite symposia at the EASD in Rome, 2008 Michelle Turner Client Services Director, Wolters Kluwer Health, London
Best medical education programme - HIV and the body Geraldine Reilly Associate Director, International Medical Affairs, Gilead, UK
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