SternViews

Update: Who Will Pay for CME?

As this dove tails with my previous post, it seems that perhaps the reasons are not lack of available training but lack of interest by the docs to become knowledgeable.

"Many doctors and pharmacists surveyed by the center said they have received only limited training in prescribing drugs.

Four in 10 doctors said they received no training in medical school on prescribing controlled substances; more than one-half received no training on identifying prescription drug abuse or addiction. Three-fourths said they had no training in medical school identifying diversion of prescription drugs for illicit purposes.

Four in 10 pharmacists say they have received no instruction since pharmacy school in dispensing prescription drugs. Almost one-half said they have received no instruction since pharmacy school in identifying prescription drug abuse or diversion of prescription drugs."

 

According to the Associated Press, physicians are not confident in prescribing many of the key drug classes.

It's hard to believe, but there it is!

NIH Employees React

As predicted NIH employees were angered by the new rules designed to re-establish the agencies tarnished record.

Most researchers go to the NIH for the prestige and connections to industry to get their research commercialized. 

Watch for the mass exodus of top names as they dial up "CareerBuilder.com."

NIH Curbs Outside Income

As discussed in earlier blogs,the NIH has decided on a plan that will affect all employees and their outside entrepreneurial involvements.

The Once Venerable British Medical Journal

The media has gone off the deep end many times.

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) tried to play with the big guns and shot themselves in the head.

Many medical journals and book authors think that they can write with impunity and with immunity.

Part of the problem here is not only did the BMJ not do their homework, but they were adamant about their accusations and broadcast them to the world.

BMJ out on a Limb

As reported earlier in this blog the BMJ vs Eli Lilly showdown keeps unraveling with the finger strongly pointing back to the venerable BMJ.

Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking Elsewhere for an Answer II

I'll just make this a new category if there are enough examples without being redundant.

If you substitute the word Pharma for the word restaurant, Pharma rep for concierge and doctor for the word guest you get the point pretty quickly. (free registration required)
 

When you ask a concierge about recommendations for restaurants, and tours, etc you do so with a certain amount of skepticism and you should factor their recommendations in with other research you may have done. 

So too with the doctor. You know where Pharma is coming from, and as a doctor, unlike a guest, you have an added responsibility to research, question, and make your own conclusion on what drugs and/or therapies to prescribe.

We need to get off the "Poor Doctor is Naive" bandwagon and get them to be the professionals they claim to be.

 

Looking Elsewhere for an Answer

The appropriateness of a physician being paid to do promotional programs and consulting for Pharma can often be blurred to those in the business for many years.

When you look at it from the point of view of another industry clarity of its
inappropriateness becomes clearer.  (free registration required)

Once again the importance of CME, evidence based and with transparency, come through.

Let's keep going in that direction.

CME Can Help with Candor

The pharmaceutical industry has taken on a lot over the last few years. 
Going from "Golden Child" to"Evil Twin."

CME, especially now, can help in the process of supplying the candor and transparency everyone is looking for.

We may be embarking on the "Golden Age" of CME. 

Funders, faculty, and learners "All Aboard"  for a new positive experience. 

In 2005

• MedEd will have to redefine itself or die.
• Faculty will have to succumb to the realities of the "new deal."
• Truth and transparency will be obvious.
  
• Grants committees will begin to understand what they are granting.
• Critics will find themselves a focus of criticism.
• Content is king. When in doubt say it's out.
• With funders it's not "love the one you're with," but find a love you can trust.
• Our healthcare audiences will become accountable.
• Aspirin can kill, but education can save a life.
• Read Sue Pelletier everyday, because I won't be dealing with daily CME issues anymore.

Contract for Mutual Responsibility in CME

I have been writing and revising this statement for probably a year.

I feel that as we at Projects In Knowledge continue to evolve along with the new Standards for Commercial Support, there is no better time to issue this and stand by it.

This will eventually appear on all our activities' printed materials, invitations, posters, websites, etc.

The following are the obligations for both Projects In Knowledge and the Clinician Learner in this activity:

Projects In Knowledge will provide:
1. A trusting learning environment free of commercial bias.
2. A program that has been peer reviewed (enduring materials) to ensure fair balance by an independent expert in the field not affiliated with the content development of this program.
3. Faculty that embrace and support our efforts.
4. Acknowledgment of off label uses of pharmaceutical products discussed.
4. Content targeted at a level meaningful for this clinician group and their patients.
5. Ample time allowed for questions from the floor to add to the scientific rigor and real life clinical appropriateness of information provided.
6. Access to a “Content Ombudsman” who will handle questions on enduring materials that are not answered by this activity.
7. A dynamic learning and implementation process that meets the providers rigorous obligations to multiple accreditation/regulatory bodies, and that shows that Projects In Knowledge will be forever evolving and striving to do the right thing .

Clinicians Responsibility will be to:
1. Be an active participant in the activity.
2. Ask questions relevant to patient care concerns.
3. Commit yourself to the entire activity time frame, because it is only then that the total learning can be experienced, utilized and measured.
4. Allow this activity to be only a part of your total learning experience and not serve as the only education to treat a patient.
5. Aid in developing future activities by being a strong participant. The evaluation form assists us in this process; please give it careful professional consideration when filling it out.
6. Return to your practice and mentor the learning experience with your colleagues. Projects In Knowledge can provide extra material for this effort and would be more than pleased to do so.