European CME Forum, 2011

The fourth annual meeting of the European CME Forum took place this year at the NH Barbizon Palace in Amsterdam. Further to feedback from 2010, this year’s event focused more on the education (not just commercial) providers, the medical societies and the role of the pharma companies – if pharma is financially supporting a programme, is it entitled to some benefit and, if so, what does this look like?

The programme was split across two days, with four sessions on each, capably directed by programme director, Eugene Pozniak. The event encouraged interaction between the speakers and delegates – with some sessions taking a workshop format and, for others, chairs prompted comments from the floor.

Personal highlights included the Good CME Practice (gCMEp) group’s findings delivered on day one and Maureen Doyle-Scarff and Laura Muttini’s presentation ‘Born in the USA?’ on day two.

Day one

The areas/questions addressed on day one were: (1) How to approach an educational activity; (2) The gCMEp group’s four core principles of good CME practice; (3) How can CME Practice change clinical practice? and (4) Aligning regulations for compliant CME.

The first session took a back-to-basics approach by addressing the issue of learning goals in relation to effective learning. Jonas Nordquist asked the floor to consider the importance of learning objectives, suggesting there is improvement to be made across the board. He argued learners need to know what's expected to make the learning active and facilitate relevant dialogue.

In session two, participants of the Good CME Practice Group shared the findings from a consultation process and demonstrated how their core principles can offer practical guidance for providers developing CME programmes: appropriate education, balance, transparency, effectiveness. For a summary of these principles, read Alisa Pearlstone’s article Putting our house in order, published on CommuniqueLive.com to coincide with the event.

The superb Eamann Breatneach chaired the third session with speakers Miklos Udvardt, Thomas Kellner and Helmut Madersbacher. Questions posed included: Is it possible for a CME activity to effect a change in clinical practice? Can it help doctors adhere to guidelines?

The discussion included an assessment of the EHA educational programme.

The fourth session featured speakers Edwin Borman, Renhard Greibenow and Eva Thalman and discussed the role of pharma within CME. There was also debate over whether accreditation, more than points, demonstrated a marker of quality. Chair Jacqui Thornton did an excellent job of inviting and facilitating interaction from the floor.

Day two

The second day kicked off with a Question Time session chaired by Robin Stevenson with speakers Borman, Nordquist, Pearlstone and Dick Schrijvers. Delegates asked: how can collaborations be formed between CME stakeholders (including the societies) – is there best practice? Can competition be beneficial in improving patient outcomes? And to what degree can CME effect attitudinal change?  

Maureen Doyle-Scharff (Pfizer) and Laura Muttini (Abbott) followed with the second session of the day: ‘Born in the USA? Measuring the true value of CME’. They charted the evolution of CME in the US over the past decade and evidenced measurable clinical outcomes through case studies, relevant to the European environment. Their presentation was inspiring and motivating, not least due to their fine-tuned and personable delivery.

Nordquist set the floor to work again in the penultimate session, with a case study workshop to help delegates identify some basic stages in setting-up and identifying important components in interactive learning activities.

The final session was led by Lawrence Sherman and called ‘The CME unsession’, one with no agenda or pre-determined topics, where the delegates off line and online steered the discussion. Issues included the negative perception of pharma involvement in CME, transparency, and the desire for more scientific evidence-based decisions. To read more of the conversation, see Twitter at #4ECF.

Copies of selected presentations from this event are now available online.

European CME Forum update
Since last year’s meeting, the European CME Forum has consolidated its position and has become a not-for-profit organisation. This has been accompanied by the launch of its journal: The Journal of European CME (JECME), which is welcoming submissions now.

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