In the ever-evolving field of medicine, continuing medical education (CME) plays a crucial role in keeping healthcare professionals up-to-date with the latest advancements and practices in their field.
And for busy practitioners, high-quality CME that’s endorsed by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) is essential. At MedStudy, we take our responsibility as a medical education company seriously, and pursue this accreditation to make sure what we're bringing our users adheres to ACCME's high standards.
We’ll explore four reasons why ACCME accreditation matters after giving you a little background.
What is ACCME accreditation?
Accreditation awarded by the ACCME signifies that a medical education provider meets rigorous standards for educational quality and relevance in CME. It ensures that CME activities are designed to improve physician competence, performance, and patient outcomes.
CME providers that achieve ACCME accreditation demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence, fostering professional development, and advancing healthcare quality. ACCME-accredited activities are trusted by healthcare professionals to deliver the most up-to-date, bias-free, evidence-based medical knowledge and practices.
How long does ACCME accreditation last?
A standard four-year term of accreditation is awarded by the ACCME. However, providers can also opt for Accreditation with Commendation, which lasts six years.
How do providers get ACCME accreditation?
Continuing medical education providers achieve initial ACCME accreditation through a rigorous application process which demonstrates that it is in compliance with the organization's requirements. The provider submits:
- Self-study report - Comprehensive details of their CME program including descriptions, attachments, and examples that demonstrate the program’s success
- Performance-in-practice review - Documented evidence showcasing at least two recent activities that verify compliance with ACCME standards
Then they participate in an accreditation interview where questions are asked regarding the strengths, accomplishments, and challenges for the CME program. Along with the interview, one activity of any format must be reviewed by an ACCME staff member or volunteer.
Since MedStudy has been ACCME accredited for decades, we are on a four-year maintenance cycle. This means that every four years we have to show that we’re meeting all of the criteria by submitting an overarching report and participating in an evaluative interview.
One key component of the report is the demonstration of continuous improvement. For MedStudy, this is accomplished through the regular request for feedback from our learners and contributors to refine our educational activities. This feedback loop ensures that our content is always relevant, bias-free, and aligned with current medical guidelines.
What is an ACCME ineligible company?
According to the ACCME, an ineligible company is one ""whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients." Examples of ineligible companies include those that manufacture or distribute devices, pharmaceutical companies, and diagnostic labs that sell proprietary products.
Why does ACCME accreditation matter for CME learners?
1. Commitment to excellence
Choosing an ACCME-accredited provider means you are investing in education that meets rigorous standards for excellence. ACCME accreditation is not easily achieved; it requires providers to demonstrate their commitment to delivering relevant, effective, and independent CME. This means you can trust that the content you are reviewing is based on best practices and the latest evidence in the field.
Practical takeaway: Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your field by participating in accredited CME.
2. Independence and integrity
ACCME-accredited education providers operate in a protected educational environment free from commercial influence. This ensures that the education you receive is unbiased and focused solely on improving your clinical knowledge and skills. Unlike CME activities sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, ACCME-accredited content is developed without commercial bias.
Practical takeaway: Earn credits with bias-free CME activities so that you can focus on doing your job to the best of your ability.
3. Efficiency in meeting requirements
As a busy clinician, time is a precious commodity. ACCME accreditation allows providers to offer both CME points and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits in a single activity. This means you can efficiently keep up with both your CME and MOC requirements through a single, streamlined process.
Practical takeaway: Simultaneously earn and claim CME credits and MOC points with ACCME-accredited providers.
4. High standards for quality care
By choosing an ACCME-accredited provider, you are not just investing in your education, but also in the quality of care you provide to your patients. Accredited providers help physicians deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care by offering education based on the latest evidence and best practices.
Practical takeaway: Ensure you're delivering high quality care by reviewing with trusted CME providers.
How does MedStudy meet ACCME's high standards?
Over 130,000 physicians have found value in our CME activities for 30+ years—continuously investing in their favorite activities year after year. They love the:
- Ease of Use - Intuitive formats that make learning accessible and claiming easy
- Variety - A broad array of activities in multiple formats to suit various preferences
- Relevance - Up-to-date content that ensures medical knowledge is in line with the latest guidelines and best practices
Plus, 99% of our learners confirm that our activities are free from commercial influence.
MedStudy’s leadership in delivering high-quality activities is evident in our dedication to maintaining ACCME accreditation and continuous efforts to improve our educational offerings. We even have a fulltime CME manager on staff to guide you through the process!
So when you choose MedStudy, you are choosing a partner committed to your professional growth and the delivery of excellent patient care. Trust in our ACCME accreditation and our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, unbiased medical education.
