Who Accredits Us
The UConn School of Medicine’s Office of Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. As such, the CME office maintains the responsibility for assuring physicians that CME-certified activities meet accepted standards of education that help physicians increase competence and incorporate new knowledge to improve the quality of medical care for patients and their communities. Our office ensures that all CME activities are consistent with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s standards for high quality education for practicing physicians. The Office offers assistance with continuing medical education applications and support in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and activities. Therefore, if you are preparing to develop a learning activity such as a conference, grand rounds or published materials, here are some important concepts and steps to keep in mind.
Who Is the ACCME
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) identifies, develops and promotes standards for quality continuing medical education. The Essential Areas and Elements (including the Standards for Commercial Support) and Accreditation Policies are the practices that a provider, such as UConn CME, must implement to achieve and maintain accreditation. Thus, if you are seeking CME credit from our CME office for learning initiatives, you must follow established policies and practices designed to ensure that these standards are met. You may visit the ACCME site for more information.
ACCME Criteria
ACCME accredited providers must comply with all the Core Accreditation Criteria which grants the provider a four-year term. In addition, ACCME accredited providers also have the option to seek Accreditation with Commendation which grants the provider a six-year term. Visit the ACCME's Criteria for Accredited Providers page for more.
ACCME Standard for Integrity and Independence
The ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education are designed to ensure that accredited continuing education serves the needs of patients and the public, is based on valid content, and is free from commercial influence. The newly redesigned standards were released in December 2020, replacing the Standards for Commercial Support: Standards to Ensure Independence in CME Activities. Visit the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence page learn more.
Standard 1: Ensure Content is Valid
Standard 2: Prevent Commercial Bias and Marketing in Accredited Continuing Education
Standard 3: Identify, Mitigate, and Disclose Relevant Financial Relationships
Standard 4: Manage Commercial Support Appropriately
Standard 5: Manage Ancillary Activities Offered in Conjunction with Accredited Continuing Education
ACCME Policies
Accredited providers are expected to adhere to the policies that are relevant to their organizations. Visit the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence page for more.
ACCME Activity Types
The ACCME does define the learning formats that can be offered. You can click on the link to learn more about each activity type.
Performance Quality Improvement