ACCME Updates Providers, Stakeholders on System for CME Activity Data

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, or ACCME, has completed the second phase of testing its Program Activity and Reporting System, or PARS, a new Web-based portal designed to streamline data collection from ACCME-accredited providers. In addition, CME providers and other stakeholders now can track the ACCME's progress in implementing the system online.

In a Feb. 25 press release, the ACCME said it has posted a Web page with information and frequently asked questions about PARS to keep CME providers and other stakeholders up-to-date on the status of the system, which is scheduled to launch on June 1.

The ACCME also said it has received feedback from CME providers who volunteered to test the system. Based on that input, the ACCME is making adjustments and improvements to the system.

The next step in implementing PARS, according to the ACCME, is an education and exhibition phase, planned for late in the first quarter of this year, when all accredited providers will be able to try out the system. A full launch is scheduled for June 1.

In addition to collecting and managing activity and program data from accredited CME providers, another potential goal is to use PARS as a source of activity information from which to build a real-time monitoring, or audit, process to demonstrate the ACCME's accountability to stakeholders, the government and the public.