ASCRS Passes ACCME Commercial Support Review

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has informed the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) that it has successfully passed the “ACCME Inquiry into Compliance with the 2004 Standards for Commercial Support.”
The ACCME is the organization that accredits non-profit groups, hospitals and health care delivery systems, medical centers, medical schools, and education and publishing companies that provide continuing medical education (CME).
To maintain its accreditation status, ASCRS and other CME providers must be re-accredited on a periodic basis. The process involves reviews in 22 areas to assure that CME providers’ missions and educational planning address identified physician educational needs and are developed independent of any commercial influence.
Last summer, ASCRS was one of 82 accredited providers that were selected for a Formal Inquiry into Compliance with the Standards for Commercial Support. The ACCME wrote:
“Over the past year, the ACCME has reaffirmed its commitment to accredited continuing medical education that matters to patient care. The ACCME must ensure that CME is independent of commercial influence. The ACCME is resolute in its commitment to this principle, evidenced by the 2004 Standards for Commercial SupportSM and subsequent policies that provide guidance on the features and practices of continuing medical education that is independent from ACCME-defined commercial interests. For the benefit of the integrity of the CME system and its physician learners, we know that you share the perspective that there can be no equivocation regarding the absolute need for independence.”
ACCME also noted that it “is examining practices from among the ACCME accredited providers that receive the greatest amount of the system’s commercial support. ACCME is doing this to ensure compliance with ACCME’s requirements for independence. ACCME seeks to understand the processes employed in obtaining and managing commercial support that meet the requirements set forth in the ACCME’s Essential Areas and Elements, Standards for Commercial SupportSM (SCS), and Accreditation Policies.”
As part of Phase I of a two-phased inquiry, ASCRS submitted extensive documentation in August of 2008. Based on the thoroughness of the August submission, ACCME informed ASCRS in a May 11, 2009, letter that it had done so well; there would be no need for Phase II of the Inquiry. The ACCME wrote:
“Our review of the materials you submitted has demonstrated that you have systems in place to meet the ACCME’s expectations and requirements. It is evident that you have embraced the values and principles of the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support.”
The ASCRS CME Committee is chaired by Howard S. Barnebey, M.D., of Seattle, Washington.

EyeSpaceMD offers new material from 2009 Symposium

EyeSpaceMD.org has uploaded dozens of the most popular sessions and papers—EyeWorld Symposia and the Alcon Live Surgeries—from the April 2009 ASCRS Symposium in San Francisco, making them available to ASCRS members around the world.
EyeSpaceMD is the ASCRS Internet-based education site, offering material from ASCRS meetings, EyeWorld Symposia, podcasts, a resource library, AND … it houses eyeCONNECT, formally known as EyeMail.
EyeSpaceMD recently introduced a podcasting section in conjunction with As Seen From Here, the ASCRS supported podcasting venture originated by Josh Young, M.D., an academic ophthalmologist who spends two-thirds of his time in private practice. The podcast section offers more than 180 short audio programs. Every month ophthalmologists from 100 countries access more than half a terabyte of information. As a resource for residents and fellows, Dr. Young produces Open Ophthalmology, a basic science video podcast series, which has 1,800 viewers accessing 6,000 video lectures every month.
Also accessible through EyeSpaceMD is eyeCONNECT, which offers a series of lists that enable members to pose questions and comments to their peers around the world and get near instant answers and responses. The lists include those for refractive, cataract, glaucoma, comprehensive, young physicians and residents, and business topics. eyeCONNECT is now used by nearly 1 in 4 ASCRS members and represents a powerful and dynamic consultation tool.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Ciccone is director of communications for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Contact him at 703-591-2220.