Step III: Assuring the Integrity of the Educational Process
"The concepts of independence from industry and collaboration with industry in the development of CME content are mutually exclusive.
Although commercial interests may provide commercial support for educational activities as defined by the ACCME's Standards for Commercial Support,
there is no role for ACCME-defined commercial interests in the content-planning, development or evaluation of accredited CME activities." (ACCME)
This defines the "independence" of CME.
The steps required by ACCME to assure independence from commercial support included:
- Providing disclosures for all planners, reviewers, and speakers for your activity
- Making disclosure to the audience (either verbally, or in written form)
- Resolving all conflicts of interest prior to the activity
- Processing all monetary sources according to ACCME standards
- Managing vendors and exhibits according to ACCME standards*
*Loyola University Medical Center, as a not-for-profit entity, does not allow vendors or exhibits on-site during CME events (PS 11)
