Change is in the Air

Abstract

Although the primary goal of Pediatrics in Review (PIR) is to keep the pediatrician up to date across the broad spectrum of pediatric knowledge, the journal serves other purposes.One function is to allow the reader to earn continuing medical education (CME) credits. Reading the journal and taking the quizzes, learners can earn up to 36 credits per year; taking the companion PREP Self-Assessment in learning mode can add up to 43 additional credits. Many physicians can fulfill all of their CME requirements by using these two learning tools.As most readers are aware, specific criteria must be met before accrediting educational organizations will grant CME credit. For instance, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) in 2011 awarded the American Academy of Pediatrics accreditation “with commendation” for the next 6 years, based on the quality of its CME offerings, which continue to meet the ACCME requirements for outcomes-based learning designed to improve quality of care.Another key agency, the American Medical Association (AMA), in 2010 strengthened its requirements by issuing several new standards and re-interpreting a few old ones, in order for accredited CME providers to cocertify activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Among these is the requirement of a minimum performance level (a minimum passing score) and a “1 article = 1 credit” rule. Both are designed to ensure mastery of content. Both will entail changes for PIR readers.Currently, all quiz questions are written by designated question writers, must undergo peer review, and are published only after final approval by the authors and editors. Each question is designed to help readers focus on salient elements of the CME article and on general pediatric knowledge. Questions are constructed to help learners evaluate information and select a course of action, recommend treatment modalities, or entertain a diagnosis. This approach will not change.What will change is the method for submitting quiz answers and claiming credit. Until now, readers have been able to submit answers in two ways: on a paper form or online. The print version of the journal had listed the correct answers inside the front cover. The online quiz had indicated the correct answers electronically and highlighted the part of the article that forms the basis for the answer.Starting in January 2012, readers may submit quiz answers online only. Online confirmation of the correct answer will remain the same, but in the print issues, correct answers will not appear until the following month.An advantage of the online method of answering is that readers may review the material and retake the quiz until questions are answered correctly. Not only will repeated attempts reinforce the correct information, but the reader will be able to achieve the percentage of correct answers required to claim CME credit. The minimum passing score that must be achieved is 60% for each article designated for credit. Once learners achieve a 60% score, they will be prompted to claim credit.Under new requirements, each quiz that follows a specific article will be worth 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™; the older method of stating the hours spent reading each issue will no longer apply. With few exceptions, the articles chosen to have quizzes will be full-length reviews. Occasionally, quizzes may be appended to shorter articles.Readers should know that there is a strong trend toward measuring changes that learners might make in their practice habits. Going a step further, efforts will be made to measure changes in outcomes that result from participating in PIR as an educational activity.We trust these changes will not require a great deal of adaptation on the part of our learners and that they will result ultimately in an improvement of our educational capability.