STANDARDS FOR ENDURING MATERIALS

1. Design and use of enduring materials must be consistent with the sponsor's overall CME Mission Statement and must be described as within the scope of the sponsor's CME efforts.

2. Enduring materials must be based upon identified CME needs of given target groups of physicians.

3. The sponsors must develop explicit objectives for each item of enduring material and must communicate these objectives to the prospective participants.

4. The medium, or combination of media, chosen by the sponsor must be consistent in content and method with the stated objectives. The overall length of the recorded materials and estimated study time for completing the activity should be specified.

A statement should be displayed that the CME activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Essentials.

5. Every sponsor must evaluate each unit of enduring material at least once every three years, or more frequently if indicated by new scientific developments. The sponsor must demonstrate that findings from the evaluation process are used to revise, update, or plan future versions of the enduring materials. The date of original release must be prominently displayed in arabic numerals after the title, along with the most recent date of review and revision or approval, if applicable.

6. Sponsors of enduring materials must have a mechanism to record and, when authorized by the participating physician, to verify participation.

7. In instances of Joint Sponsorship, an accredited sponsor must assume ongoing responsibility for the planning, proper use, and evaluation of the CME activity. Planning includes identification of the target physicians, the educational needs to be addressed, the appropriate objectives, educational content, selection of media and faculty, and the production quality. Proper use includes marketing, distribution, and establishing the conditions for effective participation.

Sponsors of enduring materials should communicate the following information to prospective participants:

- target audience of physicians
- needs addressed and specific learning objectives
- topics and educational content
- principal faculty and their credentials
- medium or combination of media used
- method of physician participation in the learning process
- estimated time to complete the educational activity
- date of original release
- date of most recent review and update or approval
- evaluation methods