Point of Care CME

AAFP recognizes Point of Care CME as practice-based learning that takes place in support of specific patient care. The physician uses a computer-based clinical decision-making support tool at the point of care to ask a clinical question, search evidence-based sources for practice recommendations and then apply a recommendation appropriately to the patient. Even in cases when the evidence-based recommendation is not appropriate for the patient, the physician still learns something in the process.

Because this is relevant, evidence-based continuing medical education that meets a physician’s specific learning needs, it is appropriate to award AAFP Prescribed credit for documented point of care learning activities.

AAFP will approve .5 Prescribed credits for every point of care learning activity that utilizes a point of care CME source and is delivered by an ACCME-accredited CME provider. There must be a mechanism, either from the source or from the CME provider, to document the following activity elements:

It is not necessary for all three of these elements to be documented at the point of care. For example, if the point of care source captures the clinical question and the search, the physician may document implementation at a different time (e.g., at the end of the clinic day), or the point of care CME provider may capture implementation data from the physician as a part of documentation of earned credit.

It is the ACCME-accredited provider's responsibility to ensure that the three parts of the point of care learning experience are properly documented. The AAFP allows members to claim up to 20 credits (40 documented point of care CME "inquiries" or "questions" awarded .5 Prescribed credits each) per year toward membership re-election.

The review fee is $550 for a one-year accreditation term. The non-profit discounted fee is $350 for CME providers with a non-profit status. The fee is for review services rendered and is not refundable. The review process begins once payment is paid in full and all supporting materials are received by AAFP.

Any ACCME-accredited CME provider is eligible to use a point of care source to provide point of care CME activities and award CME credit for family physicians. The CME provider may submit an online CME application, or complete the Application for Approval of Point of Care CME Activities (4-page Word file; About Downloading) and submit it to the AAFP CME Accreditation Department by mail, fax or e-mail. Applications will be reviewed by AAFP Commission on Continuing Professional Development (COCPD) and approved if the provider meets the criteria for producing point of care learning activities utilizing point of care sources.

It is the responsibility of the CME provider to: