Continuing medical education (CME) is critical for healthcare professionals to stay updated with the latest advancements and best practices. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) sets standards for CME providers to ensure the quality and effectiveness of their programs. A key element of these standards is the requirement that providers analyze changes in learners resulting from their educational activities. This article dives into the specifics of this "Analyzes Change" rule, its key concepts, and its role in maintaining ACCME accreditation
The "Analyzes Change" rule mandates that accredited CME providers systematically assess the impact of their educational interventions. This involves:
This analysis helps providers understand whether their CME activities are achieving their intended goals and identify areas for improvement.
To effectively analyze learner change, it's crucial to understand the key concepts defined by the ACCME:
This refers to the factual information and theoretical understanding gained by the learner.
Competence is the ability to apply knowledge in a specific situation. It's what a learner would do if they could, representing their strategic approach.
Performance is the actual application of competence in practice. It's how a learner actually performs in their professional setting.
These are the measurable changes in patients' health status or experience as a result of the healthcare professional's performance. Outcomes can also extend to research, executive, or administrative areas, depending on the focus of the CME activity.
It's important to note that while ACCME uses specific terms, the actual terminology used by providers is less important than the understanding of the differences between these concepts. The focus should be on measuring what you intend to measure – whether it's strategy, actual practice, or the consequences of performance. More information on compliance can be found on the ACCME's Analyzing Learner Change Compliance Check.
Distinguishing between competence and performance allows providers to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of their CME activities. Measuring competence assesses the learner's understanding and planned approach, while measuring performance reveals how that knowledge translates into real-world practice.
Why is this distinction important?
The ACCME provides examples of compliance and non-compliance with the "Analyzes Change" rule to guide providers in their accreditation efforts. These examples illustrate the types of evidence that demonstrate a provider's commitment to analyzing learner change. See specific examples below:
The "Analyzes Change" rule is a cornerstone of ACCME accreditation, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the impact of CME activities on learners. By understanding the key concepts, collecting relevant data, and conducting thorough analyses, CME providers can ensure their programs are effective in improving healthcare professionals' competence, performance, and ultimately, patient outcomes. This commitment to continuous improvement is what sets accredited CME apart and contributes to the advancement of healthcare. For further insights into ACCME accreditation and its various components, explore the ACCME website.
