Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Policies and Guidelines

Accreditation
The AAO-HNS Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education to physicians. Through our CME activities, you can stay current with accepted methods of diagnosis and treatment and learn developments in your specialty.  View the complete statement on AAO-HNS Members and Continuing Medical Education for more information.

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc.

CONTINUING EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT

Component
Purpose	The purpose of the Foundation’s CME program is reflected in increased quality of patient outcomes through knowledgeable, competent, and professional physicians. The continuing medical education (CME) program of the Foundation offers the physician educational activities designed to bridge an identified knowledge and/or performance-in-practice gap.
Content Areas	The scope of educational topics covered by the Foundation’s CME program shall be broad, but all activities must meet the ACCME and the AMA/PRA definitions of continuing medical education and be related to the specialty of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. These topics include, but are not limited to: otology, neurotology and vestibular disorders, head and neck surgery, laryngology, pediatric ORL-HNS, trauma, sleep medicine, rhinology and otolaryngic allergy, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, anatomy, pathology, embryology, audiometry and audiology, smell and taste disorders, practice management,  and patient safety.
Target Audience	The target audiences for Foundation CME activities are physicians and physicians-in-training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
Types of Activities	The Foundation’s CME program includes, but is not necessarily limited to: Courses: scientific meetings, including the Annual Meeting which consists of a full program of scientific seminars/papers instruction courses, and business of medicine presentations. Courses: smaller scientific meetings on a specific clinical topic. Enduring Materials: self-assessment activities, such as: Home Study Course (readings and exams), Patient of the Month Program (clinical patient simulation exercises) and, physician individualized learning. Internet (enduring materials): online (electronic) CME activities. Other worthwhile educational activities as may be determined from time-to-time by the Education Advisory Committee and/or the Board of Directors.
Expected Results	The CME program: Firstly, helps participants develop, maintain, or strengthen their application of: accepted methods of diagnosis and treatment to provide services for patients (performance); skills, abilities, and strategies in practice (competence). Secondly, provide updates on new developments in the field (knowledge).

Disclosure Policy
The AAO-HNSF requires that any individual who may have control of content for a CME activity must submit a disclosure form that discloses any relevant financial relationship with commercial interest(s). Any real or potential conflicts of interest will be identified and resolved before the delivery of the CME activity. View the complete AAO-HNSF Policy on Conflict of Interest in a CME Activity Supported by Commercial Interest.

Financial Support of Educational Activities
The AAO-HNSF accepts commercial support from commercial interests for CME activities whose acceptance is in compliance with the ACCME’s Standards for Commercial Support (dated April 1, 2004). View the complete AAO-HNS Foundation Policy on Financial Support of Educational Activities.

Planner/Teacher/Author Fees
The AAO-HNSF appreciates the sharing of time and expertise by staff and volunteers in the development and delivery of our CME activities. In recognition of these contributions, the AAO-HNSF may provide compensation and reimbursement of expenses for planner/teachers/authors of these CME activities in compliance with the ACCME’s Standards for Commercial Support (2004, 2006, 2007). View the complete AAO-HNS Foundation Policy on Planner/Teacher/Author Fees. 

Joint Sponsorship
The AAO-HNSF Education Steering Committee has placed a moratorium on joint sponsorship activites.  Therefore, at the present time, the AAO-HNSF is not accepting joint sponsorship requests.