Mission Statement
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Office of Continuing Medical Education
Purpose:
As set forth in the core mission statement of Wake Forest University Health Sciences (WFUHS)/Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM), the Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) is committed to providing superior, timely continuing medical education (CME) to health care professionals, specifically physicians, thereby supporting them in lifelong learning and thus ultimately better enabling them to improve the health and well-being of the general public.
Content Areas:
The OCME uses the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates’ definition of CME - “educational activities that serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The content of CME is that body of knowledge and skills generally recognized and accepted by the profession as within the basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, and the provision of health care to the public.”
The OCME assists WFUHS/WFUSM faculty, staff, and affiliated individuals, groups, and organizations in planning, developing, providing, and evaluating CME on medical and health care topics based on identified educational needs and interests. These needs/interests are identified by multiple sources, including, but not limited to: past activity evaluation data; faculty, medical staff, and outside practicing physician suggestions; committee findings; literature reviews; North Carolina Baptist Hospital, regional, and national practice data; formal and informal surveys of potential participants; new medical information; national and/or state practice guidelines; environmental trends; and experience in the clinical setting. By improving the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance of practicing physicians, WFUSM through the OCME is helping physicians and other health care providers stay current on changes and advances in today's health care environment, resulting in more efficient and effective patient care.
As a school of medicine, WFUSM has an obligation to teach future physicians and other health care providers, which includes an appreciation and awareness of lifelong learning. By involving fellows, residents, and students in the CME planning process as well as encouraging their participation in CME activities and learning, faculty and staff help them recognize the importance of continual professional development.
Target Audience:
The OCME provides CME to a local, regional, national, and international audience of physicians and other health care providers, as based on identified educational needs and interests. CME is often targeted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center providers and WFUSM alumni but is made available to other health care professionals.
Type of Activities:
The OCME provides a wide range of learning opportunities including, but not limited to:
§ Postgraduate activities
§ Grand rounds/teaching conferences
§ Minifellowships
§ Enduring materials, including web-based activities
§ Journal clubs
§ Jointly sponsored activities, including community hospital/health care facility activities
§ Individualized learning experiences
All educational activities are developed in compliance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's (ACCME) Essential Areas and policies, including the Standards for Commercial Support of Continuing Medical Education, AMA procedures and policies, and the rules, regulations, and guidelines of WFUHS/WFUSM.
Expected Results:
By providing exceptional, timely CME activities to physicians and other health care professionals, the OCME is able to not only reinforce current knowledge but facilitate practitioners’ awareness of weaknesses and opportunities for improved education and learning. Through well-crafted evaluations and follow-up materials such as post-tests, surveys, patient chart reviews, and further expanded needs assessments, the OCME can determine what was learned versus what education is still needed in a selected area of medicine. The OCME is thus able to continue to provide CME activities that meet the needs of area health care providers, ultimately leading to improved patient care.
In addition, the provision of CME not only encourages an appreciation of lifelong learning but recognition of the value of teaching to others, from students to veteran practitioners. The OCME encourages the incorporation of this value into the WFUSM promotion and tenure process, the molding of future physicians, and professional colleague interaction.
Approved by the OCME Medical Director and the Continuing Education Committee
(Date March 22, 2004)
Daniel P. Krowchuk, MD
Approved by the Associate Dean for Medical Education
(Date April 20, 2004)
K. Patrick Ober , MD
Approved by the Senior Vice-President and Dean following review by the Faculty Executive Council
(Date April 29, 2004)
William B. Applegate, MD, MPH