CME providers of Satellite CME events who are approved to hold an event must apply for AAFP Prescribed CME credit and successfully complete the AAFP accreditation review process. An Application for Approval of Live Activities for CME Credit (3-page MS Word doc; About downloading) will be forwarded to the CME provider and activity organizer with the approval letter. The CME application must be submitted no later than June 4, 2008 to allow adequate time to complete the review process, which can take up to one month. The $100 CME application review fee will be deducted from the administrative fee. A separate check is not required. The AAFP CME accreditation application form and all supporting materials must be submitted to Diane Schmid, c/o AAFP, 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211. Questions about the AAFP CME accreditation process may be directed to Diane Schmid at 1-800-274-2237, ext. 6542.
CME providers have the option to incorporate the principles of evidence-based medicine into CME and seek AAFP EB CME designation. The last day to submit required EB CME documentation is June 18, 2008 to ensure that all AAFP marketing of Satellite Events will list the event with EB CME designation. AAFP preference is to include the documentation with the Application for Approval of Live Activities for AAFP CME Credit due by June 4, 2008. Visit online to learn more about the EB CME process.
If the program content originally described on the Application to Hold a Satellite Event (2-page PDF; About PDFs) is significantly different from the program content submitted on the AAFP CME accreditation application form, the AAFP reserves the right to deny the application for credit and the Application to Hold a Satellite Event.
To be eligible for AAFP Prescribed credit, an Active or Life AAFP member must ensure relevance of content to family medicine and sign the application for AAFP CME credit.
AAFP CME Credit Guidelines
AAFP CME Credit Application Procedures
Commercial Support Guidelines
Commercial support can contribute significantly to the quality and accessibility of CME activities. The AAFP required that CME providers whose activities are accredited for AAFP CME credit comply fully with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support (the Standards) (3-page PDF; About PDFs). The ACCME approved the Standards in 1992 and the AAFP adopted the original Standards as its own policy in 1993 and adopted the 2004 updated Standards for current activities. Other ACCME Accreditation Policies apply.
It is the AAFP’s position that the CME provider must assure that the purpose of any CME activity it produces is designed primarily to enhance the physician’s ability to care for patients without advancing any proprietary interests of a commercial supporter. The CME provider must demonstrate appropriate behaviors in planning, designing, implementing, identifying and resolving conflicts of interest and evaluating CME activities. This includes, but is not limited to, the provisions of the Standards in their entirety. CME providers are responsible for assuring all educational partners (activity organizers and commercial supporters) are knowledgeable about the guidelines and are committed to full compliance in their roles as well.
It is the AAFP’s position that the CME provider must assure that the purpose of any CME activity it produces is designed primarily to enhance the physician’s ability to care for patients without advancing any proprietary interests of a commercial supporter. The CME provider must demonstrate appropriate behaviors in planning, designing, implementing, identifying and resolving conflicts of interest and evaluating CME activities. This includes, but is not limited to, the provisions of the Standards in their entirety. CME providers are responsible for assuring all educational partners (activity organizers and commercial supporters) are knowledgeable about the guidelines and are committed to full compliance in their roles as well.
Absence of Commercial Bias
The CME provider must assure that the CME activity is free from commercial bias for or against any product. [Standard 5.1]
Provider Independence and Control
The CME provider is responsible for the content, quality and scientific integrity of the CME activity. [Standard 1.1]
The CME provider is responsible for the design and production of the CME activity. Commercial supporters shall not control the planning, content, or execution of the activity. [Standard 1.2]
The CME provider may request information and assistance from commercial supporters if this does not result in advancing their specific proprietary interests. Accepting advice or services from commercial supporters may not be among the conditions of providing support for the activity. [Standard 3.2]
The CME provider is responsible for the design and production of the CME activity. Commercial supporters shall not control the planning, content, or execution of the activity. [Standard 1.2]
The CME provider may request information and assistance from commercial supporters if this does not result in advancing their specific proprietary interests. Accepting advice or services from commercial supporters may not be among the conditions of providing support for the activity. [Standard 3.2]
Balance
CME activities must offer a balanced view of therapeutic options. Faculty use of generic names will contribute to this impartiality. If trade names are used, those of several companies should be used rather than only that of a single company. [Standard 5.2]
It is recommended that the provider include an index of all generic drugs in a class and their commercial names as a handout and helpful tool for participants.
Educational materials may not contain any advertising, single trade names or a product group message. [Standard 4.3]
It is recommended that the provider include an index of all generic drugs in a class and their commercial names as a handout and helpful tool for participants.
Educational materials may not contain any advertising, single trade names or a product group message. [Standard 4.3]
No Commercial Materials/Sales Activities During Educational Activities
Commercial materials may not be displayed or distributed in the same room immediately before, during, or immediately after the CME activity. Representatives of commercial supporters may attend an educational activity, but may not engage in sales activities while in the room where the activity takes place. [Standard 4.2]
Management of Funds from Commercial Sources (Letter of Agreement)
Funds from a commercial source should be in the form of an educational grant made payable to the CME provider for the support of programming. The terms, conditions and purposes of such grants must be documented by a signed agreement between the commercial supporter and the CME provider. [Standard 3.4]
No other funds from a commercial source shall be paid to the director of the activity, faculty, or others involved with the supported activity. [Standard 3.9]
The CME provider may delegate the responsibility for receiving and disbursing funds from educational grants to an educational partner. However, the letter of agreement regarding the grant must be between the CME provider and the commercial supporter. The CME provider must maintain and be able to produce as documentation a full accounting of funds. [Standard 3.13]
No other funds from a commercial source shall be paid to the director of the activity, faculty, or others involved with the supported activity. [Standard 3.9]
The CME provider may delegate the responsibility for receiving and disbursing funds from educational grants to an educational partner. However, the letter of agreement regarding the grant must be between the CME provider and the commercial supporter. The CME provider must maintain and be able to produce as documentation a full accounting of funds. [Standard 3.13]
Jointly Sponsored Activities
If the CME activity is jointly sponsored, the accredited provider is held responsible for the CME activity. Both parties may be listed as “jointly sponsored by” on promotional materials. For AAFP promotions, only the accredited provider will be listed unless otherwise requested.
Acknowledgment of Commercial Support
All commercial support must be acknowledged in activity announcements and brochures, but with no reference to specific products. [Standards 6.3, 6.4]
Commercially Supported Social Events
Commercially supported social events at CME activities may not compete with, nor take precedence over the educational event. [Standard 3.11]
The AAFP requires that Satellite CME Events limit social events to food and beverage service with taped or recorded background music. To maintain the focus of education and research being presented, entertainment, live or otherwise, or performers may not be offered before, during or after the educational event.
The AAFP requires that Satellite CME Events limit social events to food and beverage service with taped or recorded background music. To maintain the focus of education and research being presented, entertainment, live or otherwise, or performers may not be offered before, during or after the educational event.
Disclosure of Faculty and Provider Relationships
Faculty and CME providers (staff, planning committee, etc.) must disclose to learners, prior to the educational activity, any financial relationships relevant to the activity which exist between anyone who has control over the content of the CME activity and any commercial interests. If no relevant relationships exist, the learner must be so informed. [Standards 6.1, 6.2, 6.5]
Resolving Conflicts of Interest
Providers must have a process for identifying and resolving all conflicts of interest prior to the educational activity being delivered to the learners which includes disqualification from participation for any individual who refuses to disclose relevant financial relationships or who has a conflict of interest that cannot be resolved. [Standards 2.2, 2.3]
Faculty Selection
The CME provider is responsible for selecting and confirming faculty, and for communicating the requirement that faculty comply with the ACCME Standards, the AMA CEJA Ethical Opinion on Gifts to Physicians from Industry, and all AAFP CME guidelines.
It is the provider’s responsibility to provide these guidelines to faculty with a cover letter communicating that the AAFP will monitor the CME activity to assess compliance. The letter/e-mail must inform faculty that the AAFP reserves the right to restrict faculty from participating in future Satellite events held in conjunction with the AAFP Scientific Assembly (e.g., if they are involved in one or more events where infractions, such as commercial bias or failure to present a balanced view of therapeutic options, are cited and a trend is apparent, or if a single infraction is particularly offensive).
Contact Diane Schmid at 800-274-2237 ext. 6542 or dschmid@aafp.org for AAFP compliance criteria and monitoring procedures text to be added to faculty letter/e-mail.
It is the provider’s responsibility to provide these guidelines to faculty with a cover letter communicating that the AAFP will monitor the CME activity to assess compliance. The letter/e-mail must inform faculty that the AAFP reserves the right to restrict faculty from participating in future Satellite events held in conjunction with the AAFP Scientific Assembly (e.g., if they are involved in one or more events where infractions, such as commercial bias or failure to present a balanced view of therapeutic options, are cited and a trend is apparent, or if a single infraction is particularly offensive).
Contact Diane Schmid at 800-274-2237 ext. 6542 or dschmid@aafp.org for AAFP compliance criteria and monitoring procedures text to be added to faculty letter/e-mail.
Copies of the faculty confirmation letters communicating the above information must be sent to the AAFP by August 6, 2008.
Unlabeled Uses of Products
When an unlabeled use of a commercial product or an investigational use not yet approved for any purpose is discussed during an educational activity, the CME provider must require faculty to disclose that the product is not labeled for the use under discussion or that the product is still investigational.
CME Events
AAFP CME Credit Guidelines
