Policy on Enduring Materials

Purpose

The Policy on Enduring Materials exists to provide guidance for Hedarian Staff and CME Partners on the requirements when producing enduring materials. The ACCME defines CME enduring materials as printed, recorded, or computer-assisted instructional materials that may be used over time at various locations and which constitute a planned activity of continuing medical education. Examples of such materials for independent learning by physicians include: programmed texts, audio tapes, CD ROM's, videotapes, Internet CME, and other computer-assisted instructional materials which are used alone or in combination with written materials. Not included are "reference materials" such as books, journals, or manuals. Enduring materials are similarly defined by the AMA and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Target Audience

All Hedarian Staff, CME Partners, and Parties involved with planning, designing or engaging with CMEs on the Hedarian Platform.

Policy

Policy and Procedure Manual on Enduring Materials

• Enduring materials are planned just like any other CME activity, except that certain additional special requirements must be included.
• Enduring materials shall not include any advertising whatsoever.
• Enduring materials shall not reference trade-named products specifically, although discussions of generic use of products in treatments may be made as long as they are fair, balanced, and reference studies that are scientifically objective.
• Commercial Support: Acknowledgement of the receipt of commercial support for the enduring materials must be made, and that acknowledgement must be made at the beginning of the enduring material before learning occurs. Commercial support representatives may not assist in the distribution of enduring materials provided by Hedarian.
• General CME information: Including the accreditation statement, credit designation statement, target audience, all special enduring material statements, and disclosure of both financial relationships and discussion of unlabeled or unapproved uses must also be made at the beginning of the enduring material before learning occurs.

Required Information in Enduring Materials

• Providership or Joint Providership Statement
• Accreditation Statement
• Credit Designation Statement
• Statement of Need
• Target Audience and Prerequisites (if any)
• Topics and Faculty Credentials
• Learning Objectives or Educational Purpose
• Acknowledgment of Commercial Support
• Provider and Faculty Financial Relationships Disclosure
• Faculty Discussions of Unlabeled or Unapproved Uses
• Release Date, Review Date, Expiration Date, Estimated Time to Complete the Activity
• Method of participation and Media or Medium Used

Additional Requirements for Internet CME

• Activity may not be posted on any website owned or controlled by a pharmaceutical company, device manufacturer, or other commercial interest.
• A mechanism must be in place for the learner to be able to contact the accredited provider if there are questions about the activity.
• Hedarian must have, adhere to, and inform the learner about its policy on privacy and confidentiality that relates to the activity.
• Hedarian must be able to document that it owns the copyright for, or has obtained permission to include, the materials within the activity.

Evaluation and Post-Test

An assessment of the learner that measures achievement of the educational purpose and/or objective(s) of the activity will be performed via a post-test. A minimum passing grade of at least 70% must be achieved in order for the participant to receive credit.

Instructions for Participating and Securing CME Credit

Clear instructions describing how participants can participate in the activity and receive CME credit will be included in the enduring material.