Welcome to the May edition of AOE’s monthly newsletter! This edition of AOE Compliance Connection features some ACCME updates and new features, the second installment of our series about Initial Accreditation, and some takeaways from last month’s Learn to Thrive conference in Chicago, from some AOE staff members who were in attendance. Take a moment to ensure that you and your CME team members are all following AOE on social media for weekly compliance tips, reminders, and other compliance-related information!
ACCME: New Offerings to Stakeholders
Over the past month, the ACCME has extended two new resources to CME stakeholders and accredited providers: A Practical Guide to navigating CE research and a brand new certificate program. Both resources will prove helpful to your team as you research, plan, and implement CME initiatives!
1) Navigating CE Research: A Practical Guide
The 2024 Learn to Thrive conference launched a series of working groups, including Fostering Greater Engagement in CE Research which released a resource that’s free to download as a tool.
The goal of this particular working group was to develop a CE Research Toolkit to provide the accredited continuing education (CE) community with the strategies and resources to pursue the Demonstrating Educational Leadership through Engaging in Research/Scholarship requirement from the Menu of Criteria for Accreditation with Commendation for the ACCME.
They acknowledge that the connection between effective CE strategies and practices underscores the need for extensive research to identify and optimize these methods, however, they also identified a pressing issue: “The accredited CE community is not engaging enough in CE research!” This toolkit aims to bridge that gap by guiding and encouraging CE professionals to undertake research in their fields.
Download the guide here.
2) ACCME’s New Certificate Programs
One of the newer offerings by the ACCME is a certificate program for CE professionals of all types who want to take the next step and deepen their skills, achieve competence, and contribute more to their programs. Each program lasts for three months and includes self-paced online learning (about 15 hours total), live support webinars, and a proctored final assessment to wrap up the course.
The two new programs are:
- ACCME Certificate in Implementing the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE
- ACCME Certificate in Data Management for Accredited CE
Several AOE staff members will earn the new ACCME certificates, and we will share our experiences via this newsletter. The next cohort (Spring 2025) begins June 9 – click here to enroll before May 22 to confirm your place in the program.
Compliance Help: Initial ACCME Accreditation Timeline & Application
Interested in applying for Initial Accreditation with the ACCME? Below, we lay out some basic information about the application and timeline to help you get ready.
Timeline
The application process for Initial ACCME Accreditation happens in three annual cohorts (March, July, and November). The cycle length varies, but typically lasts 12-18 months for Initial Accreditation.
Overall Framework
This PDF, a Guide to the Process for ACME Initial Accreditation, provides an outline of a lot of helpful information, including the history, eligibility, process, terms, timeline, and requirements for providers seeking Initial Accreditation.
How to Apply
The ACCME uses a pre-application review process, and once providers are determined to be eligible after this process, they are invited to continue with the initial accreditation process.
Application Steps
After that invitation is extended, you can expect to demonstrate that your practice of CME is in compliance with the ACCME’s accreditation requirements through three primary sources of data:
- Self-Study Report: A chance for you to “tell the story” of your CME program. Based on the direction of the ACCME process, you will provide descriptions, attachments, and examples to paint the picture.
- Performance In Practice Review: You will verify that your activities are in compliance with the ACCME accreditation requirements through a documentation review process of two specific activities.
- Accreditation Interview: A conversation that allows applicants to further describe practices, field questions from a team of volunteer surveyors, and dialogue a bit more. This will be scheduled by the ACCME once all other materials are received.
Reach out to AOE for help navigating this process! We are here to help and happy to answer any questions you have.
CE Community: AOE @ Learn to Thrive 2025
Learn to Thrive 2025, ACCME’s annual conference, took place last month in Chicago and provided a rich environment for growth, engagement, networking, and a peek into the future of CME. Attendees stocked up on new resources, practical strategies, and fresh approaches to the world of accredited education. AOE staff members got a front row seat and Sarah Porter, CHCP, AOE’s Senior Program Manager, shares with you some of her key takeaways below. We will share additional insights from the conference next month.
Sarah Porter
Program Manager
Generative AI for Program Management
- There are many ways to utilize generative AI to help improve program management and logistics (e.g., form development, policy development, evaluation summarization).
- It’s key to remember that it’s important to consider privacy and safety. A paid account is best!
- Personas can be created to improve efficiencies with AI (e.g., specific tone utilized under a specific persona).
- Validation/verification of AI is still key!
Opening Keynotes (multiple days)
- Stories, narrative, and the intentional ordering of information (per The Moth), are powerful for conveying information as they make individuals feel less alone. Shared stories connect humans to each other.
- Improv can be a creative tool to build confidence and tolerance for being uncomfortable and promoting creative brainstorming.
Colleague Chat Sessions
- There is a consensus amongst providers invested in Joint Accreditation that more resources are needed to support providers seeking initial, or aiming to maintain, Joint Accreditation.
- Standard 3 continues to be the highest area of non-compliance and misperceptions continue to persist. However, there are many providers with strong best practices, compliant policies and procedures.
For example…
- If disclosure information is provided elsewhere for learners to access and view prior to their engagement in an accredited CE activity, a disclosure slide is not required in a faculty member’s slide deck. Removing a disclosure slide can help prevent confusion if there are discrepancies between what the accredited provider determined to be relevant and what the faculty outlined on a disclosure slide. Otherwise, the accredited provider can pre-fill the disclosure slide for utilization.
- If utilizing a disclosure form, have the form indicate “Publicly held stock shares” and “Privately held stock shares.”
Thanks, Sarah! Conferences like these are a great place to connect with our clients and other stakeholders from across the healthcare education continuum. Let’s all stay open to growth and to new educational and collaborative approaches that are improving healthcare each day.
Upcoming Events
- NCPD Accreditation 101: Building the Foundation Virtual Workshop
May 20-21, 2025, Online
Read More >> - AAMSE Annual Conference
July 16-18, 2025, Chicago, IL
Read More >> - ACPE Self-Study Workshop
July 23-24, 2-25, Chicago, IL
Read More >> - ACCME 2025 Accreditation Workshop
August 26-27, 2025, Chicago, IL
Read More >> - Newcomers’ Orientation to Accredited CE
August 25, 2025, Chicago, IL
Read More >>
