Considering the future and professionalism of CME

AMA Leader Commentary. By J. Edward Hill, MD Oct. 7, 2002.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

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A message to all physicians from J. Edward Hill, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.

Last month, I spoke to an audience of stakeholders in the future of continuing medical education: physicians, academicians, regulators and representatives from the pharmaceutical and medical device industries that help support CME. The conference was convened by the National Task Force on CME Provider/Industry Collaboration, which the AMA initiated in 1990.

First off, I made sure the audience was aware of the Association's historic role -- and leadership position -- in the whole continuum of medical education, from prospective medical students who wonder if they can meet the medical school admission requirements, to the academic physicians who participate in AMA policy-making through their role in the House of Delegates. I truly believe that our nation's excellent standards of medical care would not be so stellar without the Association's willingness to involve itself in the difficult issues surrounding medical education.

In fact, when the surveyor from the Residency Review Committee came to check out my program recently, he insisted upon calling me "Boss." He recognized the AMA's role in appointing members of the RRCs.

Continuing medical education has become not a choice, but a necessity for physicians. Thirty-nine states require a CME component for physicians to retain their licenses. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires relevant CME for hospital privileges. Many specialty organizations require CME for membership. And several states have topic-specific CME requirements. [...]