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 ACCME Initial Applications
Establishment of Relationship(s) with an Accredited and Credible Joint Sponsor
New applicant organizations must demonstrate the capability of planning and executing two CME activities during the application phase. SP&A will help, if requested to identify an appropriate ACCME accredited organization of excellent reputation to apply for joint sponsorship. Working with an accredited joint sponsor will allow your organization to demonstrate compliance with ACCME Essential Areas and policies as well as the Standards for Commercial Support. Our staff will work closely with your staff to assure that every step of the way all processes are completed correctly.
The ACCME Initial Self Study for Accreditation
SP&A provides guidance in the preparation of the pre-application and initial self study. The self study must capture the unique contributions your organization is making in CME and must be strategically and tactically correct. Your application needs input from key members of your organization as well as your CME Advisory Board or CME Committee. Through the development of the self study, SP&A coaches your staff in the transition toward becoming a bona fide educational organization. This requires skills in needs assessment, preparation of learning objectives, educational design and methodologies, selection of appropriate evaluation mechanisms, and more.
Documentation of Compliance: Building a Filing System Architecture
SP&A's experienced team designs the "architecture" of a filing system for your organization. The mechanism for demonstrating compliance with the ACCME Elements is the activity files. The files must show evidence of compliance with ACCME Essential Areas and policies. We devise a user-friendly filing system based on check-off lists to make documentation fail-safe and ready for review by the ACCME if those files are requested by the ACCME for review. SP&A encourages new providers to establish their documentation system electronically.
Policies and Procedures
CME policies and their accompanying procedures and processes form the backbone of your new CME Program. SP&A tailors policies and procedures to your unique environment and trains your staff on them (see Training below). The final set of documents is provided both as hard copy and electronically for placement on the organization's server or website.
Staff Training
SP&A will help bring all staff involved in the CME process up to speed with specialized trainings. We offer trainings on changes brought about by the AMA and ACCME, including such topics as writing better learning objectives; linking needs to desired results; choosing appropriate learning methods and design; understanding and utilizing appropriate evaluation mechanisms; the regulatory environment of CME; performance improvement initiatives; and more. Multi-day staff trainings are conducted at your organization focusing on the skill levels required by the ACCME and commercial supporters. Your new CME Policy & Procedures Manual serves as the basis for the training.
Mock ACCME Survey
To prepare your CME team for the onsite or video survey, SP&A conducts a mock survey that recreates the environment of the actual survey. An experienced former senior ACCME surveyor conducts the survey. All mock survey outcomes are kept confidential, of course, and a full debriefing is held to make final preparations for the actual ACCME survey.
Final ACCME Site Survey
The ACCME Site Survey takes place either at your office, at an activity you are conducting, or via videoconference mode. Whichever environment is chosen, the survey is a critical and final part of the ACCME Application process and requires careful preparations. SP&A is onsite to assure a smooth and successful ACCME survey.
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