EBAC 2019
International relations:
- On Sept. 23rd, 2019 EBAC and the AMA have signed an agreement on conversion of CME credit points.
Following mutual recognition of accreditation systems between EBAC and the Accreditation Council for CME (ACCME) in 2015, EBAC has already started to offer to ACCME accredited providers to convert CME credits for European participants in American CME activities.
The decision of the AMA now makes this process reciprocal, and constitutes a cornerstone in making substantial equivalency between accreditation systems relevant to learners. - EBAC and the ACCME have renewed their agreement on mutual recognition of substantial equivalency of accreditation system (valid until 2023).
Cologne Consensus Conference 2019:
CCC19 has been devoted to discuss “Standards for Substantial Equivalency between CPD Accreditation Systems”. Results have been presented at #12ECF in Manchester for further discussion, and will now be prepared for adoption at the level of the International Academy for CPD Accreditation.
We would like to thank all those European organisations, which have contributed to this process, from Berlin pre-conference in May 2019 to CCC19 and beyond.
European affairs:
The revised 2019 EFPIA “Code of Practice” aligns with a previous publication of industry representatives in the “Journal of European CME” (JECME), who have claimed, that industry should be accepted as direct providers of accredited CME by UEMS-EACCME. This has elicited two rebuttals, both published in JECME:
- M. Rodzinka et al.: Regulating for Bias in Medical Education – Reaction to the Pharmaceutical Industry Updated EFPIA Code of Practice https://doi.org/10.1080/21614083.2019.1685771
- M. Guenova, R. Schäfer, P. Palange: Independent Continuing Medical Education (CME)/Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Must Deliver Unbiased Information
https://doi.org/10.1080/21614083.2019.1690321EBAC has contributed to both papers through CME-EA.
EBAC provider accreditation:
EBAC has started CME accreditation in 2001, and has so far exclusively practiced activity accreditation.
EBAC, in agreement with its parent organisation ECSF, now has started to also offer provider accreditation. Providers now have the choice to continue with activity accreditation or apply for provider accreditation. The relevant documents related to provider accreditation can be found on the EBAC website (www.ebac-cme.org).
On behalf of EBAC I would like to take the opportunity and thank you all for working, and discussing with EBAC as well as for all support in 2019. We are looking forward to continue our fruitful cooperation in 2020!
With all the best wishes for a joyful festive season and a healthy, successful, and in particular peaceful New Year 2020
Yours
