MedEDirect will not approve an activity unless there is a valid need for it. Needs may be identified through a variety of methods and sources, such as the following:

·      Literature Search

o       The Cochrane Library

o       National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC)

o       EMBASE.com

o       Web of Science

·      Patient safety data

·      Faculty and expert consultant recommendations

·      Monitoring of emerging regulations and standards

·      Analysis of risk experience

·      Monitoring of issues emerging in public media

MedEDirect will conduct or verify the need for an activity and provide a needs assessment summary that includes:

·      A practice gap analysis

·      The need for the program as it relates to the target audience

·      The educational objectives that address the stated need

·      Educational formats and methods that appropriately address the objectives and target audience

·      Faculty who are competent in the subject matter and qualified by experience, training, and/or preparation for the tasks and methods of delivery

·      Evaluation instruments that satisfy all ACCME requirements

Those who are approved to serve as faculty should be experts in the field. As a general rule, the proposed faculty should possess the following criteria:

·      Ability to distinguish the difference between evidence-based and anecdotal information

·      Familiarity with methods of adult learning

·      Well versed on the topic and being published in the area of their competence.

·      Ability to provide current and appropriately referenced content

In accordance with ACCME policy:

·      Recommendations involving clinical medicine in a CHE activity must be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients

·      All scientific research referred to, reported or used in CHE in support or justification of a patient care recommendation must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis

·      Accordingly, content for all CHE activities will be developed around clinical guidelines published by authoritative organizations such as Cochrane Review, AHRQ, AAP, AAFP, etc, or material that has been peer reviewed. If, however, new and important information becomes available, it may be inserted into the CHE activity, provided it meets some specific criteria. Specifically:

o       It must be consistent with the peer-reviewed information already available. New information that hasn't been peer-reviewed will not be used to refute peer-reviewed information

o       It must be a minor part of the information being presented. An activity will not be developed around new information that has not be subjected to peer review

o       The faculty must be familiar with the information being presented and able to attest that the science involved meets the "generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis"

o       Recommendations for off-label use of drugs must be disclosed and supported by evidence

o       Generic product names should be used rather than brand names

A record of attendance at each activity must be maintained. Accordingly, attendance at all activities must be documented. Documentation will normally be accomplished by requiring the participant to complete either a CHE Registration/Evaluation Form for short-duration meetings or a Verification of Participation Form for meetings of considerable length.

The receipt of an activity evaluation of an enduring material will serve as verification of participation. In addition, it is the policy of MedEDirect that all enduring materials must provide for physician interaction. This is normally accomplished by a post-test. A roster of all participants of each enduring material will be maintained for six (6) years following the expiration date of the activity.

Participants of the journals published must complete a post-test for each issue of the journal in order to receive credit for that issue. A roster of all participants of each journal will be maintained for six (6) years following the expiration date of the activity.

The record of attendance at an audio program (ie, teleconference) should be accomplished through electronic means or by the CHE Registration/Evaluation Form.

MedEDirect will provide each faculty member/author with appropriate administrative information regarding the activity. The faculty letter will contain the following information:

·      The title of the activity, date, and location

·      Overall program objectives

·      The specific title of the faculty’s presentation

·      Type of activity (live, enduring material)

·      Anticipated amount of credit to be awarded

·      Intended audience

·      Honoraria and policies on expense reimbursement

·      The name(s) of commercial supporters (if any)

·      Financial disclosure policies and attached disclosure form

·      Policy on disclosure of discussions of unlabeled, unapproved uses, and

·      Other ACCME Commercial Support requirements

·      Fair balance requirements

·      Audio-visual and other logistical information and forms to complete
regarding the faculty's presentation

In addition, faculty will be informed of the ACCME policy on evidence-based medicine:
All the recommendations involving clinical medicine in a CHE activity must be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients.

All scientific research referred to, reported by, or used in CHE in support or justification of a patient care recommendation must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.