Standards for integrity and independence in accredited continuing education

Abstract

The article highlights the report on the development of new standards «Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education» by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME, USA).These standards have evolved from the» Standards for Commercial Support: «Standards to Ensure Independence in CME Activities», which were first adopted in 1992 and updated in 2004. The goal of the revision process was to streamline, clarify, modernize the Standards, and ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness in the changing healthcare environment. Standards are designed to: ensure that accredited continuing education serves the needs of patients and the public; present learners with only accurate, balanced, scientifically justified recommendations; assure healthcare professionals and teams that they can trust accredited continuing education to help them deliver safe, effective, cost-effective, compassionate care that is based on best practice and evidence; create a clear, unbridgeable separation between accredited continuing education and marketing and sales.

This information is presented to the medical community of Ukraine, it is of interest to all those directly involved in providing continuing medical education to medical professionals in the framework of continuing professional development, especially to accreditation bodies.