Setting CME standards in Europe: guiding principles for medical education

Figures & data

Figure 1.  Methodology.

Figure 2.  Endorsement of principles.

Figure 3.  Response to consultation phase of core principles relating to (a) appropriate education, (b) fair balance, (c) transparency and (d) effectiveness.

Figure 4.  Checklist for implementation of Good CME Practice Group Core Principles.

Table 1.  Core principles to be adopted following consultation.

Topic	Principle
Appropriate education	CME providers should ensure that educational activities have clear learning objectives that are derived from a coherent and objective process that has identified performance gaps and unmet educational needs. The education must be designed to positively reinforce existing good practice and effect a sustained change in daily clinical practice as appropriate
Fair balance	Balance needs to be evident in content, faculty and review. Content has to be developed independently of the sponsor and reflect the full clinical picture within the framework of the learning objectives
Transparency	All relevant information should be disclosed to the learner so that they understand fully how the content has been developed and presented. This includes the terms of the financial support, relevant disclosures of faculty and organisations involved in the development of the scientific content and the presentation of the programme
Effectiveness	Post-activity evaluation should measure satisfaction, knowledge uptake and intent to maintain or change behaviour in line with learning objectives