American Osteopathic Association Adopts Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education

We’re pleased to announce that the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) has adopted the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, effective January 1, 2023. The Standards are designed to ensure that accredited continuing education provides healthcare professionals with accurate, balanced, evidence-based information that supports safe and effective patient care. 

Released in December 2020, the Standards reflect the values of the continuing education community. In adopting the standards, AOA joins other accrediting bodies representing multiple health professions. Independence from industry is the cornerstone of accredited continuing education. By achieving consensus on the Standards, these accrediting bodies in the health professions stand together, not only to continue to assure the delivery of high-quality learning experiences, but also to sustain the protection from industry bias and marketing that accreditation rules deliver: 

• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) 
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) 
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) 
• American Academy of PAs (AAPA) 
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry’s Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (ARBO/COPE) 
• Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education 

“The American Osteopathic Association is excited to begin the implementation of the Standards with accredited AOA CME Sponsors. As an ACCME-accredited provider, we have seen firsthand how the Standards for Integrity and Independence have strengthened accredited continuing medical education. We look forward to osteopathic CME utilizing these Standards starting in 2023, as we work together to improve continued training for all healthcare professionals.” Kevin Klauer, DO, EJD, CEO, American Osteopathic Association

“We welcome the adoption of the Standards by AOA. We share a commitment to ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to relevant, timely, efficient, and effective education that is balanced, evidence-based, and insulated from industry bias. The Standards enable our community of educators and accrediting bodies  to deliver on our promise to offer trusted learning that helps clinicians and teams across the health professions provide safe, effective, and compassionate care.” Graham McMahon, MD, MMSc, President and CEO, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)