The purpose of FirstHealth’s Continuing Medical Education Program is to provide educational opportunities for physicians to update their knowledge, competence, performance and improve patient outcomes when possible. The program will also support FirstHealth’s strategic plan, particularly the focus for top decile performance in clinical quality, patient safety and service.
Activities will include single offerings, serial activities and symposia, and are planned to address the assessed needs of the learners based on the North Carolina Medical Society Essentials and Standards of Accreditation. All offerings will be evaluated. FirstHealth’s overall Continuing Medical Education Program will be evaluated annually for the following: participants’ demographics, participants’ satisfaction with programming, updates in knowledge, improved competence, improved performance/practice, and outcomes.
The target group of FirstHealth of the Carolinas continuing medical education programming is primarily physicians on our medical staffs. Other interested physicians from our service area and health care professionals (e.g. nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, therapists) may make up the secondary audience. The intended target audiences will be clearly described on announcements for each educational offering.
Programming will be free from commercial influence and/or bias by complying with the organization’s policy for commercial support and continuing medical education activities and disclosures. The Office of Continuing Medical Education’s goal is to ensure that all programming is current, scientifically rigorous, based on need, has specific learner objectives, is followed up by evaluation for effectiveness and results, and incorporates performance improvement as a routine part of the program. Maintenance of records of attendance will also be ensured. Resources for continuing medical education programming will be administered through FHC’s Office of Continuing Medical Education.
