The University of Utah Continuing Medical Education (UUCME) FAQs
General and Logistical Questions
UUCME Office Location
Where is the UUCME Office Located?
The UUCME Office is located in RM AC113 on the “A” Level of the School of Medicine. Take the last hallway to the right before exiting the south doors of the School of Medicine. The office is midway down the hallway on the left side. Please see the map below for a pictorial view.
The University of Utah Continuing Medical Education Office
Located on the A level to the South of the Cafeteria,
Room AC-113 (Near Medical Graphics and Photography)
CME Course Certificates of Attendance for non-physician health professionals
Does the School of Medicine designate CME credit for nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants?
The School of Medicine does not designate credit for these health professionals, but does issue course Certificates of Attendance for non-physician health professionals. A Certificate of Attendance references AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, to help them document their attendance at certified educational activities.
Where do I find out what Courses, Regularly Scheduled Series (Conferences), and other activities are being offered?
A listing of these activities can be reviewed by going to the main navigation link on the UUCME homepage entitled, CME Activities. You can also find information on the UUCME calendar. For further information about the activity please get in touch with the point of contact noted for the activity or call the UUCME office, 581-8664.
How do I register for a CME Course?
The UUCME office does not perform the course registration functions. Please contact the individual listed as the course point of contact for information regarding registration.
Typical Accreditation Related Questions
See ACCME FAQs for a greater breadth of questions
Commercial Interests and Resolving Conflicts of Interest
What is considered a commercial interest?
A ‘commercial interest’ is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.
What is meant by a relevant financial relationship or interest referenced on the planner and speaker disclosure/attestation form?
A relevant interest is any financial relationship in any amount occurring within the past 12 months that creates a conflict of interest. It is a relationship relevant to the role of the individual participating in the activity to control or influence content development. This might include grants, research support, consultant relationship, stockholder, paid honorarium, etc.
When do relationships create “conflicts of interest”?
The ACCME considers financial relationships to create actual conflict of interest in CME when individuals have both a financial relationship with a commercial interest and the opportunity to affect the content of CME about the products or services of that commercial interest.
Is the disclosure and attestation form sufficient to identify and resolve conflicts of interest?
No, CME activities are now being held to a higher standard than simple disclosure in assuring independence from commercial influences. The ACCME does not accept simple disclosures or disclaimers, on their own, as a mechanism to resolve conflict of interest. The disclosure must be used in conjunction with another mechanism such as peer review to identify and resolve conflicts of interest.
Exhibitors
Is an Exhibitor contract required?
No, an exhibitor contract is not required, but is recommended as a good business practice.
Can commercial interests receive exhibit space in exchange for providing CME grants for the CME activity?
No, receiving exhibit space in return for providing an educational grant would be placing a condition on the grant and that is not allowed. Selling exhibit space to commercial interests is considered to be a business transaction. Income from selling exhibit space is not considered to be commercial support as defined by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Educational grants should be kept completely separate and distinct from the purchase of exhibit space.
Letters of Agreement for Educational Grants
Who must sign the letter of agreement with the commercial interest?
The letter of agreement must be signed by a representative of the commercial interest, the UUCME office staff, and a member of the department receiving the educational grant or in-kind support.
Credit for teaching in CME activities
Can speakers be awarded credit for teaching in CME activities?
Yes, faculty can be awarded two (2) AMA PRA Category 1 Credits for each hour they present at a live activity designated for such credit. This credit acknowledges the learning associated with the preparation for an original presentation. Faculty may not claim simultaneous credit as physician learners for sessions at which they present. Credit may only be claimed once for repeated presentations.
How can speakers be awarded CME credit for speaking at a provider’s designated live activity?
There are two ways that credit can be awarded.
- The first method is claiming credit directly from the AMA. Physicians can either claim them on their AMA PRA certificate application or apply to the AMA for an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit certificate specific to that activity. The presenter applies using the AMA form entitled, ‘Direct Credit Application AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. To obtain the form to go the AMA web link at: www.ama-assn.org/go/cme or call the AMA (312) 464-5296.
- The second method is through a process involving the establishment of a new CME activity through the UUCME office specifically for teachers or authors. This method will follow a new activity format called ‘Learning from Teaching’ which must meet all of the ACCME accreditation requirements. This activity is established specifically for teachers. Credit cannot be just awarded to faculty for teaching or writing in an activity certified for credit. Per the ACCME, “CME is about learning and change. It is about improvements in competence, or performance, or patient outcomes. Accredited providers, therefore, need to find a way to facilitate improvements of the teachers and authors who receive credit.”
