Towards a common CME-CPD standard in Europe

(subject to change)

CME-CPD (Continuing Medical Education, Continuing Professional Development) is one of the pillars for quality assurance in medical care. It means that the medical specialists are due to continuously update and enhance their knowledge, skills and behaviour/attitude towards their patients, their peers and their staff.
The newer term of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) covers the continuum of lifelong medical education, at all stages of a doctor’s career.

There is no uniform system of CME-CPD in Europe (EU and EEA).
In some countries, CME-CPD is mandatory, in some it is still not subject to regulatory requirements. The non fulfilment of the required CME-CPD hours/credits may, in some countries, be followed by sanctions, e.g. in Germany, where the reimbursement of medical acts can be reduced or the right to practice for insurances may be withdrawn. In Switzerland, the new federal Law on Medical Professions (2007) stipulates “lifelong learning” and provides reprimands and fines for not fulfilling the required CME-CPD.

Differentiation must be made between national and international CME-CPD.

National CME or CPD is regulated by National Accreditation Authorities (NAA), whereas in international CME-CPD the UEMS (Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes) has set up a regulatory body to harmonise and improve the quality of specialists’ medical care in Europe, the EACCME (European Accreditation Council for CME).
For this purpose, the ECMEC (European CME Credit) facilitates the transfer of credits between European countries, between different specialties, in case of migration of a specialist within Europe and between the European credit system and comparable systems outside Europe. There is the principle of subsidiarity, which means that the National Accreditation Authorities (NAA) have a final say: specialists may convert their ECMECs into national credits where the system differs from the conditions mentioned above.

There is collaboration with the USA, where an agreement has been signed with the AMA. EACCME credits are recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) towards the Physician’s recognition Award (PRA). To convert EACCME credits to AMA PRA category 1 credits, please contact the AMA.

Please note: usually one hour equates to one credit, therefore, in international congresses and symposia, one ECMEC = one hour.
Based on the accepted assumption that no-one would be able to focus for more than a certain time on too numerous topics, UEMS decided to limit the amount of ECMECs to 6 for a day and to 3 for a half day.

In Dermatology and Dermatovenereology, the Section & Board Dermatology/Venereology (S & B D/V) of UEMS signed an agreement with the EACCME on November 26, 2005. That means, international congresses and symposia organised by dermatovenereologists in Europe must be accredited by the EACCME of UEMS to have their credits validated.
Actually, the accrediting body is a scientific panel chaired by the president of the S&B D/V.

Incidentally: Long Distance Learning (LDL) or e-learning is currently being debated by a Working group of UEMS.

The CME-CPD Committee of the EADV

The CME-CPD Committee is responsible for the quality assurance of CME-CPD of EADV, together with the Scientific Programming Committee (SPC). The “Fostering Dermatology & Venereology Committee” is responsible for organising so-called “small courses” for practising dermatovenereologists and residents.
As the educational events organised by EADV and the Fostering Committee are international by their academy and attendance, the EACCME Rules of UEMS apply to them.
The CME-CPD Committee issues a certificate to every attendee. As already mentioned above, it will be up to the participants to contact their National Accreditation Authority (NAA) to have their ECMECs recognised and/or converted into national credits according to the regulations being in force in their country.

PLEASE NOTE: The CME-CPD Committee will not be responsible for delivering certificates to attendees who have been registered by a third party and whose addresses are not complete.
UEMS asks that every attendee be able to evaluate the scientific sessions and courses (see attached structured questionnaire).

Jean-Paul A. Gabbud (CH), Chairman, jgabbud@bluewin.ch
Maria Zaoura Petranyi (CY)
Andris Rubins (LT)
Fabienne Schroeder (LU)

For further information, please contact cme-cpd@eadv.org

November 2009