Communication with Providers

Method of Communicating Essential Areas and Policies to Accredited Providers (99-08-G)

Essential Areas, Elements & Policies, as adopted by the OSMA, are communicated with accredited providers (as well as those entities/organizations which may wish to seek accreditation), in the following manner:

  • OSMA handout entitled: An Overview of the Application Process for Accreditation
  • OSMA handout entitled: The Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education Programs in Ohio B A Guide for Providers
  • OSMA handout entitled: Procedures for the On-Site Survey (insert Documentation of the OSMA Essential Areas, Elements & Policies)
  • OSMA manual: OSMA Manual on Continuing Medical Education (provided online through OSMA web page 2004)

Additional opportunities for communicating the Essential Areas, Elements & Policies with accredited providers exists through formal educational presentations which include the annual CME Symposium and annual CME Coordinators' Exchange.

(CRR Criteria 1.2. & 1.3.)

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Method of Communicating Updates to Accredited Providers (99-08-H)

Changes to the Essential Areas, Elements & Policies are communicated to all accredited providers in the following manner:

  • Written notification in the form of a letter from the OSMA to the accredited provider.
  • Dissemination of information (both written and/or verbal) at formal educational presentations for accredited providers which include the annual CME Symposium and annual Coordinators' Exchange.

(CRR Criteria 1.3. & 1.4.)

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Process for Accreditation (99-08-M)

The OSMA has prepared several documents which explain and/or facilitate the process of the various phases of accreditation of intrastate providers of CME. These documents are identified below and a sample of each follow may be found at the end of the Policies & Procedures:

Inquiries/Potential Applicants Seeking Accreditation

  • Letter of Inquiry
  • An Overview of the Application Process for Accreditation
  • Pre-Application for Accreditation

Process for Accreditation

  • Follow-up letter for new applicants or reaccreditation letter for current providers
  • Copy of CME Manual provided for new applicants
  • Procedures for the On-Site Survey
  • Documentation of the OSMA Essential Areas, Elements & Policies

Following Accreditation Decisions by the Focused Task Force on Accreditation

  • Letter to institution/organization informing them of the accreditation decision (including strengths and/or weaknesses of CME program)

(CRR Criteria 3.5a., 3.5c, 3.6. and 3.7.)