Goal:

The goal of the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center CME program is to maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills, and performance that professional staff members use to provide quality services to patients, the public and/or the profession, in accordance with established accreditation standards for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and the Mission and Core Values of Providence Health & Services. Under the Core Value of Respect, ”we develop the talents and abilities of one another.“ In keeping with the tradition and mission of Providence, the requirements of Assembly Bill 1195, and the IMQ Cultural/Linguistic Competency Standard, every CME activity will include elements of cultural and/or linguistic competency and, where applicable, content related to health disparities.

Scope:

The scope of the CME effort shall include the care issues relative to patients admitted to our medical center and cared for within our community. CME content includes basic medical sciences, the discipline of clinical medicine, pharmacology, behavioral medicine and medical leadership development. The CME Program supports the clinical departments with respect to quality improvement activities and, as an integral member of the quality improvement team, the CME program will provide hospital-wide departmental educational support. Selected activities are designed to have measurable outcomes which are evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the activities. In 2009, the Committee will focus on improved outcomes identified by Joint Commission, changes in evidence-based therapies, specific hospital measures such as patient safety, length of stay, patient satisfaction.

Audience:

Potential participants include primary care physicians, specialists, sub-specialists, and psychologists in a community hospital setting. Other potential participants include ancillary staff who work with physicians in multi-disciplinary healthcare efforts and administrative personnel who hold leadership positions and have an interest in Continuing Medical Education. Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center is an accredited provider of continuing education for dentists, as designated by the Dental Board of California, effective 2009-2011, Provider #4751.

Activities:

The activities offered utilize varied formats including didactic presentations, panel discussions, case presentations, small group study, regularly scheduled series such as prospective tumor boards and cardiology case conferences and participant and faculty exchange. Activities range from one hour to three days duration. An internet website offers on-line accredited activities for physicians and other health care professionals.