Continuing medical education frequently asked questions

A RSS is a live educational activity planned as a series to address a learner gap or needs assessment, which can be evaluated and measured for change over a period of time. There is a minimum of three global learning objectives to contain discussion of what these sessions will address. The sessions could be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc. Common examples of RSS activities are grand rounds, clinical case conferences, tumor board, morbidity and mortality conference, and journal club. Participants who attend these sessions can claim credit. You must attend the entire session as we do not issue partial credit for RSS’s.

This is an educational activity that is planned as a one time event to address a specific topic or subject that has been identified as a professional practice gap. Expert speakers are sought to address the professional practice gap. For some course offerings, you will have the option to obtain partial credit by claiming credit for the sessions you attended.

Enduring educational materials can be provided in a variety of formats. The most common is online. At this time, we do not provide continuing medical education (CME) credit for enduring activities.

Objectives are usually designed to improve knowledge, skills and/or attitude. Sometimes it is helpful to work backwards to develop objectives. Ask yourself, “What do I want to improve and how will I measure the improvement?” Whatever your objective states, it has to be measured as an outcome. It is not enough to state the attendees will participate or listen to a presentation. There must be a measurable action verb in your objective. An example could be, “The participant will demonstrate increased medical knowledge in (subject matter).” This objective could be measured using a pre-and post-test.

It is helpful to use specific language when formulating objectives. For example, “This activity will improve patient outcomes,” is too broad and will be almost impossible to measure. Narrow the objective down by stating what patient outcome you specifically want to change and determine prior to submitting your CME application how you will measure that outcome/change.

We are accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society to designate AMA PRA Category 1 credit and AMA PRA Category 2 teaching credits. The AMA announced a new way of claiming teaching credits as AMA PRA Category 1 credit. These changes do not affect Michigan physicians. Michigan's present requirements recognize teaching credits as AMA PRA Category 2 credit. If you have questions, email cmeoffice@corewellhealth.org or call 616.732.6250.

Physicians are the main consumers of Category 1 credit and CME-accredited activities are designed specifically for the physician. However, in the state of Michigan, nurses, physician assistants and nurse practitioners may also use Category 1 credit. Check with your regulatory agency to ensure you are meeting the proper requirements based on your profession.

Upon arrival to the educational session, you must either text in your attendance to 844.420.1171 (one time set-up only) or scan the QR code. If using a QR code, you must download the CloudCME® App and log in.

After the session, log into the Spectrum Health CME and NCPD portal by using either the CloudCME® App or by computer at spectrumhealth.cloud-cme.com. Under My CE, select Evaluations and Certificates. You will see the list of sessions that you recorded attendance for. Click on the evaluation to complete. Once you have completed your evaluation, the certificate tab will appear next to the evaluation. Click on the tab to receive your certificate. You can email, print, or save your certificate.

Visit the Spectrum Health CME and NCPD portal and select new application.

Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event for directly sponsored events and 90 days prior for joint providership events.

Direct sponsorship are activities that are sponsored by Spectrum Health. Joint providership is for those activities put on by organizations within the Kent County borders, such as private practices or associations. Someone from Spectrum Health CME team must be involved at the beginning of the planning period for joint providership programs. See our CME protocols for further details.

You will be contacted by email from the Spectrum Health CloudCME® system once the activity is approved or if additional items are needed. Check your application list to view statuses of all your applications.

Yes. Upon approval of the application, CME staff will work to build your event into our system and include it on the calendar. If your activity is not open to the public, we will include 'INVITATION ONLY' on your activity listing.

Yes. Completed fields within the application are automatically saved. When you begin an application, an email will be sent to you providing a link to the application you have begun. If you need to close out of the system and come back to finish the application at a later time, use that link to retrieve the application.

Attendance will be recorded by learners, by texting in or QR code scanning upon arrival at the session. It is the responsibly of the learners to record their own attendance. Attendance must be recorded to be able to open the evaluation and claim credit.

No advertising of CME credit may occur until approval of the application. After approval, the accreditation statement must be included:

“Spectrum Health Hospitals CME is accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Spectrum Health Hospitals CME designates this [learning format] for a maximum of [number of credits] AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.”

For joint providership you must also include:

“This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Accreditation Elements and Policies of the Michigan State Medical Society through the joint providership of Spectrum Health Hospitals CME and [name of non-accredited provided].”

Spectrum Health Hospitals CME will not approve any activity that has requested and/or is receiving funds from a commercial interest, including in-kind support. See Commercial Support Protocol.

Advertisements and promotional materials cannot be displayed or distributed in the educational space immediately before, during, or after a live CME activity. Learners shall not be forced to interact with exhibitors and/or promotional activities. Commercial interests are not allowed to engage in sales or promotional activities while located in the designated space of the CME activity. Refer to CME protocols for further information.

Arrangements for commercial exhibits or advertisements cannot influence planning or interfere with the presentation, nor can they be a condition of the provision of commercial support. Exhibit fees shall be set for the activity. Potential exhibitors shall have equal access to purchasing exhibit space (first come-first serve).

• Exhibit fees shall be separate and distinct from educational grants (they are not considered commercial interest).
• Amounts can be based on amount of space (e.g., 3’ table vs 6’ table, for-profit vs not-for-profit).
• No more than two company representatives will ordinarily be permitted.

All exhibitors must be in an area separate from the education room, and exhibits must not interfere or compete in any way with the learning experience. Commercial representatives may attend the CME activity at the discretion of the physician responsible for the direct purpose of the representatives own education. They may not engage in sales or marketing during the educational activity. Information on the identity of learners at CME activities is considered to be confidential property.