Moving Toward Performance Improvement CME

Performance Improvement CME (PI-CME) involves a three step process: A) Practice assessment and clinical measures; B) Systematic process interventions; and C) reassessment of practice and clinical measures. Each step in the process earns the learner 5 AAFP credits. A total of 20 AAFP credits are awarded for doing all three and therefore completing a "measure-improve-measure" cycle.

As faculty, you expertly cover the core competencies of medical knowledge and patient care. In addition to covering the latest in diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment, try to address some suggestions for performance measurement, systematic care and best practices when this information is available for the condition or topic.

Measurement is essential to determine the outcomes of our care in an objective way. When they are available, try to incorporate measures that others have found helpful for improvement. Discuss any systematic or process suggestions that are likely to yield better results for patients (e.g. the use of registries or patient self-management support). If there are examples of practices or organizations that have incorporated measurement and made their results available, give the learners some indication of what others have been able to achieve using measurement and systematic changes.