CME Coalition Releases Statement on ACCME's 2010 Annual Report Data Addendum

Sept. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Today's release of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's (ACCME) "2010 Annual Report Data Addendum: Analysis of Commercial Support Distribution and Long-Term CME Trends" highlights both the growing need for certified continuing medical education, as well as the continuing challenges facing medical education and patient outcomes as a result of unjustified and unproven, but persistent, perceptions concerning the scientific integrity of CME.

While the Report Addendum highlights a significant increase in the number of medical professionals seeking CME coursework in 2010, it also shows a dramatic decline in the number of CME hours provided over the course of the year.
 
These data support our members' observation that while there is increasing demand from the medical professionals for CME, there are diminishing and inadequate resources to meet that need. Underscoring this contention is the fact, as reported in the Report Addendum, that industry support for CME continued on its alarmingly downward trajectory in 2010, which we believe, from reports from our members, will be reflected again in the report next year for 2011.  

While non-industry support for CME increased sufficiently to keep CME funding essentially flat for the year, thanks primarily to an increase in advertising and exhibit revenues for live meetings, that may not be sustainable, the increasing budget constraints facing institutions and government agencies makes it unwise for our nation to depend on these sources so disproportionately. A balanced funding environment is the best way to ensure that we are able to meet our health care system's future CME needs.

The CME Coalition, founded earlier this year, is the voice of CME providers and supporters in our Nation's capital. Among the priorities of the CME Coalition are: 1.) to educate policy makers regarding the vital role CME plays in promoting innovation and improving patient outcomes, 2.) to advocate for the importance of adequate CME funding from both private and public sources, and 3.) to enhance the scientific integrity and reputation of CME by developing prudent policies designed to eliminate perceived supporter bias. For more information, please visit www.cmecoalition.org