When looking to partner on accredited continuing education (CE), what should a Joint Provider look for in an accredited CE provider?
What is a Joint Providership?
Accredited continuing education providers often work in joint providership with non-accredited eligible organizations to design, market and offer quality continuing education programming. Joint provider relationships are collaborative in nature: The Joint Provider is able to participate in accredited CE planning, implementation, and evaluation while the accredited continuing education provider assures that all accreditation standards are met.
As a Joint Provider, how do I select an accredited CE provider?
Accredited continuing education providers who successfully engage with Joint Providers:
- Have a reputation for providing quality CE: Accredited continuing education should promote practice change – this concept should inform every aspect of CE activity planning and evaluation. It’s important to select an accredited CE provider who has a reputation for providing high quality continuing education activities that:
- Adhere to the highest accreditation standards;
- Are evidence-based, reflective of current practice, and free of commercial bias and promotion – in short, they make education of the healthcare provider the foremost priority; and
- Meet the needs of learners and bridge the performance gaps of the audiences it serves – thereby optimizing patient outcomes.
- Focus on the needs and requirements of the healthcare team: Accredited CE is increasingly focused on educating the healthcare team. To ensure your joint provided CE meets the needs of the healthcare team, look for a partner who is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). In addition, select CE partners who have other approvals, such as state board approvals, which will greatly increase the value of your accredited CE by expanding the target audiences who can be reached.
- Measure and publicize educational outcomes: Accredited CE providers should focus on maximizing the impact of educational programming and consistently measure changes in learner competence and performance-in-practice for its activities. Look for an accredited continuing education partner with an outcomes team that includes educational, clinical, and statistical experts who can boost the success of your CE activity by developing statistically measurable objectives, identifying practice change opportunities, and implementing strategies to overcome barriers to change. Make sure your CE provider has a plan to publicize outcomes results. It’s important to share the success via a publication, presentation at a meeting, or the providers’ website. Choosing the right accredited CE provider will maximize the impact of your educational programming.
- Assist with Securing Grant Funding: Funding continuing education can be expensive. An experienced accredited continuing education partner can help develop your educational grant request. They have teams with the experience and knowledge needed to ensure a compliant, compelling grant story that aligns your educational gaps with the program objectives, activity design, and measurable outcomes.
Deborah C. Clark, Ph. D.
VP, Professional Development
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare
Let’s connect! AKH has a reputation for providing high quality, evidenced-based educational offerings that meet the needs of the healthcare team and adhere to the highest accreditation standards. Contact us today at [email protected].
