Florida CME Requirements

Revisions as of November 2008

Note: This information is not the easiest to follow.  Some requirements remain the same and others have changed.  Review the entire section and if you have questions check out http://www.fmaonline.org/pages/cme/content.html

Content and Definitions
A. The content of the HIV/AIDS education course must include the following:

Modes of transmission (including transmission from healthcare worker to patient and patient to healthcare worker)
Infection control procedures (including universal precautions)
Epidemiology of the disease and related infections including TB
Clinical management
Prevention
Current Florida law on AIDS and its impact on testing, confidentiality of test results and treatment of patients.


B. The Domestic Violence education course shall consist of the following:

Information on the number of patients in that professional's practice who are likely to be victims of Domestic Violence and the number who are likely to be perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Screening procedures for determining whether a patient has any history of being either a victim or a perpetrator of Domestic Violence
Instruction on how to provide such patients with information on, or how to refer such patients to, resources in the local community, such as Domestic Violence centers and other advocacy groups, that provide legal aid, shelter, victim counseling, or child protection services.


C. The Prevention of Medical Errors course must include a study of the following:

Root cause analysis
Error reduction and prevention
Patient Safety


MD course: The course must include information relating to the five most mis-diagnosed conditions during the previous biennium, as determined by the Board (of Medicine). While wrong site/wrong procedure surgery continues to be the most common basis for quality of care violations, the following areas have been determined by the Board of Medicine as the five most mis-diagnosed conditions: cancer; cardiac; acute abdomen; timely diagnosis of surgical complications; and stroke and related cranial conditions.*
*This list was edited in 2008


DO course: The course shall address medication errors, surgical errors, diagnostic inaccuracies, system failures, and shall provide recommendations for creating safety systems in health care organizations. And the course must include information relating to the five most mis-diagnosed conditions during the previous biennium, as determined by the Board (of Osteopathic Medicine). The following areas have been determined by the Board of Osteopathic Medicine as the five most mis-diagnosed conditions: wrong-site/patient surgery, cancer; cardiac; timely diagnosis of surgical complication; and failing to diagnose pre-existing conditions prior to prescribing contraindicated medications.*
*The Board of Osteopathic Medicine is scheduled to meet in November of 2008 and they plan to review this list to determine if any edits are required.
 

Previous CME Requirements

Continuing Medical Education (CME) is required for initial licensure and renewal. The chart below describes these requirements. CME coursework for licensees renewing by January 31, 2008 must have been completed between February 1, 2006 and January 31, 2008. Licensees should not submit CME documentation unless audited. Physicians and/or spouses in the military are exempt from the CME requirements.

All CME must be AMA approved category I, except for Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors. Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors courses offered by any State or Federal Government Agency or professional association including any provider of category I or II AMA continuing medical education will be acceptable.

FREE CMEs/CEs FOR FLORIDA PHYSICIANS, NURSES, AND DIETICIANS.
The Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in collaboration with St. Petersburg College is offering unique on-demand provider education modules that address prevention, treatment and control of:
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease and Stroke
• Obesity
Any physician, nurse, or dietician in Florida can log on to www.OnlineCE.net, click on DOH, and access the online registration. You can complete each module as your schedule permits. This program is offered at no charge for Florida providers while funding lasts. Modules may be accessed at no fee for those not seeking CME/CE credits. Non-Florida providers who want CME/CE credits will be charged a nominal fee per CME/CE hour.

This CME information is current for the renewal period ending 1/31/08.

NOTE: End-of-Life Care and Palliative Care can no longer be completed in lieu of HIV/AIDS or Domestic Violence courses.

NOTE: The following courses are approved by the Board:

1. Organized courses approved for American Medical Association Category I Continuing Medical Education credits are accepted for the American Medical Association physician recognition award.

2. Any postgraduate training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

3. The following specialty training: American College of Emergency Physicians, Category I; American Academy of Family Physicians prescribed credit; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists cognates; and study courses required by those specialty certification boards approved by the Board for the purpose of sitting for specialty recertification examinations.

Effective April 5, 2005: In addition to the CME courses listed above, up to 5 credit hours per biennium may be fulfilled by performing pro bono medical services for entities under the Department of Health, Volunteer Health Care provider programs, in an area of critical need and in Community and Migrant Health Care Centers.

You may obtain 5 hours CME in risk management by attending a full day of disciplinary hearings at a Board of Medicine Meeting. Although Board Meetings are Fridays and Saturdays, the disciplinary hearings are scheduled on Friday's only. View the list of scheduled Board Meetings. The meetings begin at 8:00 a.m. Upon arrival at the meeting, be sure to sign in with staff. You will be required to sign in again upon your return from lunch. Expect to be in attendance until 5:30 p.m. You will be sent a certificate for your attendance the week following the meeting.