/ Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a regularly scheduled series (RSS)?
Regularly scheduled series (RSS) is a live activity planned as a series with multiple, ongoing sessions, e.g., offered weekly, monthly, or quarterly. An RSS is primarily planned by and presented to Corewell Health affiliated providers and generally targets the same audience over the whole series. Examples include grand rounds, tumor boards, case conferences, journal clubs, and morbidity and mortality conferences.
What is a course?
Course is a live activity where the learner participates in real time. A live course is planned as an individual event and can be an in-person event or live-streamed via an online platform. Examples of a live course include an annual meeting, one-off conference, or seminar.
What is an enduring activity?
An enduring material is an on-demand activity that does not have a specific time or location designated for participation; rather, the participant determines whether and when to complete the activity. The content can be accessed at any point during the lifespan of the activity and there is no specific time designated for participation. Examples include online interactive educational modules or recorded presentations.
The objectives are the solution to address the need and help close the gap. Objectives show what changes are anticipated (in knowledge, competence, and performance or patient outcomes) as a result of the activity.
Questions to ask when identifying the learning objectives for this event:
- What should the learner be able to accomplish as a result of attending this activity?
- What should the learner be better able to do as a result of attending this activity?
A minimum of 3 objectives are required.
Objectives must relate back to the professional practice gaps, educational needs, and learning outcomes previously identified. Learning objectives must start with an action verb - does not use 'understand', 'improve', 'gain', etc.
If the issues/needs identified above are:
- Knowledge-based - appropriate objectives should start with: define, recognize, review, discuss...
- Competence-based - appropriate objectives should start with: assess, evaluate, compare, integrate...
- Performance-based - appropriate objectives should start with: develop, implement, apply, diagnose...
What types of credit does Corewell Health - West Michigan provide?
Corewell Health CME West Michigan is accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society to designate AMA PRA Category 1 creditTM and AMA PRA Category 2 teaching credits. Teaching credits is available only to Corewell Health physicians engaged in clinical teaching and for community physicians who teach Corewell Health residents. The application is available on the Continuing Medical Education (CME) portal page. Find the application on the right side of the page, under important links and documents section.
Who can use Category 1 credit?
Physicians are the main consumers of Category 1 credit and CME-accredited activities are designed specifically for the physician. However, in the state of Michigan, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners may also use Category 1 credit. Check with your regulatory agency to ensure you are meeting the proper requirements based on your profession.
How do I obtain CME credit(s)?
Upon arrival to the educational session, you must either text your attendance to 844.420.1171 (one-time set-up only) or scan the QR code. If using a QR code, you must download the CloudCME® App and log in.
After the session, log into the Corewell Health CME and NCPD portal by using either the CloudCME® App or by computer at spectrumhealth.cloud-cme.com. Under My CE, select Evaluations and Certificates. You will see the list of sessions that you recorded attendance for. Click on the evaluation to complete. Once you have completed your evaluation, the certificate tab will appear next to the evaluation. Click on the tab to receive your certificate. You can email, print, or save your certificate.
Download instructions on CloudCME® SMS Testing-Recording Attendance
Download instructions on logging into the Corewell Health CME and NCPD portal
How do I apply to provide CME credits at an educational activity?
The information provided on this page is for the planners of educational activities. Planners are involved with identifying the gaps/problems in practice the education will address, the educational needs and learning objectives, identifying and selecting agenda topics and speakers, etcetera. Planners need to visit our CloudCME portal page and submit a new activity application.
When should I apply for credit?
Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event for directly sponsored events and 90 days prior for joint providership events.
What are the application fees?
Download information on joint providership fees
What is direct and joint providership?
Direct sponsorship are activities that are sponsored by Corewell Health in West Michigan. Joint providership is for those activities put on by organizations within the Kent County borders, such as private practices or associations. Someone from the Corewell Health - West Michigan CME team must be involved at the beginning of the planning period for joint providership programs. See our CME procedures for further details.
How will I know if the credit has been approved?
You will be contacted by email from the Corewell Health - West Michigan CloudCME® system once the activity is approved or if additional items are needed. Check your application list to view the statuses of all your applications.
Will my activity be listed on the CME calendar?
Yes. Upon approval of the application, CME staff will work to build your event into our system and include it on the calendar.
Can I save an incomplete application and come back to it later?
Applications can be accessed at any point up until they are submitted for review. The application can only be accessed by the person who initially started the application.
How is attendance recorded and who is responsible?
Attendance at a CME activity is self-recorded by the learner by SMS text message or QR code scanning upon arrival at the session. It is the responsibly of the learner to record their own attendance. Once attendance is recorded, the activity evaluation will be activated for credit claiming. Attendance must be recorded to be able to open the evaluation and claim credit.
Can I include CME credit in my advertising?
No advertising of CME credit may occur until approval of the application. After approval, the accreditation statement must include:
“Corewell Health - West Michigan CME is accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Corewell Health - West Michigan CME designates this [learning format] for a maximum of [number of credits] AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.”
For joint providership, you must also include:
“This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Accreditation Elements and Policies of the Michigan State Medical Society through the joint providership of Corewell Health - West Michigan CME and [name of non-accredited provided].”
May I apply for commercial support for a CME activity?
Corewell Health - West Michigan CME will not approve any activity that has requested and/or is receiving funds from a commercial interest, including in-kind support. See Commercial Support Procedure.
May I have commercial exhibits at my activity?
Advertisements and promotional materials cannot be displayed or distributed in the educational space immediately before, during, or after a live CME activity. Learners shall not be forced to interact with exhibitors and/or promotional activities. Commercial interests are not allowed to engage in sales or promotional activities while located in the designated space of the CME activity. Refer to CME procedures for further information.
May I have exhibitors at my activity?
Arrangements for commercial exhibits or advertisements cannot influence planning or interfere with the presentation, nor can they be a condition of the provision of commercial support. Exhibit fees shall be set for the activity. Potential exhibitors shall have equal access to purchasing exhibit space (first come-first serve).
- Exhibit fees shall be separate and distinct from educational grants (they are not considered commercial interest)
- Amounts can be based on the amount of space (e.g., 3’ table vs 6’ table, for-profit vs not-for-profit)
- No more than two company representatives will ordinarily be permitted
All exhibitors must be in an area separate from the education room, and exhibits must not interfere or compete in any way with the learning experience. Commercial representatives may attend the CME activity at the discretion of the physician responsible for the direct purpose of the representative's own education. They may not engage in sales or marketing during the educational activity. Information on the identity of learners at CME activities is considered to be confidential property.
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