The concerns stem from the fact that current accreditation systems may allow credit for courses that promote or teach unproven therapies. In particular, accreditation review protocols have proven difficult to apply to activities discussing complementary and alternative practices. Background Early last year, the Commission on Continuing Medical Education began laying the groundwork to develop an evidence-based system for classifying CME clinical content. CME activities promoting any diagnostic or therapeutic intervention deemed dangerous would be ineligible for credit.
Every intervention has evidence.
Both traditional and nontraditional therapies would be reviewed according to the same standards. Identifying appropriate sources of evidence and defining a sufficient level of evidence to designate a program as Eligible for Prescribed or Elective Credit Hours have been key to the process. Other issues considered during this process have been the prospective roles and responsibilities of CME providers, AAFP staff and member reviewers. The concerns of AAFP constituent chapters have also been taken into account and will continue to be addressed. If approved, the measure will go to the Congress of Delegates this fall.