The future of accreditation of continuing medical education (CME)-continuing professional development (CPD) in Europe: harmonisation through dialogue and consensus

• Main Authors: Fabiola de Andrade, Reinhard Griebenow, Richard W. Costello, Margarita Guenova, Robert Schaefer, James D. Chalmers, Andre Tichelli, Drazen Raguz, Joerg Stein
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2018-01-01
• Series: Journal of European CME
• Subjects: Continuing medical education (CME); continuing professional development (CPD); accreditation; Europe; continuing medical education-European accreditors (CME-EA)
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21614083.2018.1506202

In Europe, there are currently some 30 different jurisdictions and no overarching legislation regarding CME-CPD accreditation, since legislative competency related to national health-care systems lies with national authorities. Thus, public demonstration of professional agreement regarding the principles, rules and practice of CME-CPD as well as its accreditation is a highly desirable professional and political objective in Europe, where free movement and freedom to offer professional (medical) services is a key feature of the EU vision of the single market. The newly formed association of independent European accreditors, Continuing Medical Education - European Accreditors (CME-EA) is committed to offering a platform for dialogue between individuals and organisations involved in definition of professional codes in general, and accreditation of CME-CPD in particular on the national level. The aim is to reach a European consensus on principles and rules applied in planning and delivery of CME-CPD. This includes consensus on constituent characteristics of accreditors as well as principles and practice of accreditation.