Australasian Society for HIV Medicine

HIV CME points for s100 prescribers will now be accrued on a triennial (3 yearly) basis coinciding with the RACGP Triennium commencing 1 January 2008 - 2010. The key changes to this program are outlined in the summary of the 'Maintenance of HIV s100 prescriber accreditation in NSW, ACT and VIC' document.

Changes to HIV CME

Criteria for maintaining accreditation
The Standards for Accreditation of Community HIV s100 Education Programs (2007) requires accreditation systems and training programs to include ongoing CME activities. HIV CME points for s100 prescribers will now be accrued on a triennial (3 yearly) basis coinciding with the RACGP Triennium running 1 January 2008-31 December 2010.

The key changes to this program are:

• Prescribers are now required to accrue 30 HIV CME points each triennium, but are still required to renew their prescribing rights each year to demonstrate:
  - that they have accrued a minimum of 7 HIV CME points during each calendar year
  - that they have an established link with an experienced HIV specialist located at a HIV treatment unit in a public hospital
• Prescribers are able to apply for HIV CME points to be awarded for some non-HIV specific educational activities such as hepatitis, diabetes, mental health issues or cardiovascular disease. These will be awarded a maximum of 1 HIV CME point per activity and can account for up to 5 HIV CME points per triennium.

Award and accrual of HIV CME points
CME points can be accrued by HIV prescribers through a variety of education and training activities delivered both by ASHM and by external CME providers. Generally, 1 HIV CME point is awarded per hour of interactive learning or for every 2-3 hours of non-interactive or didactic learning. For a detailed breakdown of the points awarded to specific activities, please refer to the attached HIV CME Points Award Table (Attachment 1).

HIV prescribers are required to participate in a range of activities during each triennium to renew their HIV s100 prescriber accreditation. The total of 30 HIV CME points should be composed of a mix of training courses, clinical updates, clinical mentoring, clinical placement, clinical audit, conference attendance or online CME activities. Generally, no one type of activity is to make up more than half of the HIV prescriber minimum HIV CME points total. Clinical mentoring of HIV prescribers may often occur as and when needed with any HIV specialist and attracts 1 HIV CME point per cumulative hour.

Annual assessment of CME activity
Prescribers will be mailed a personalised HIV CME record sheet in the fourth quarter of each calendar year. The record sheet will contain the list of eligible CME activities that have been adjudicated at that time. The record sheet will list all activities that ASHM secretariat staff are aware the HIV prescriber has completed since 1 January of that year. These may be a combination of ASHM activities and those delivered by external providers. It will also provide the opportunity for an application by the prescriber regarding an activity completed by them that has not yet been accredited for HIV CME. This application must provide adequate details regarding the activity and the learning outcomes in order for that activity to be considered for HIV CME points. If a prescriber has participated in an activity provided by an external HIV CME provider then they will be expected to supply evidence of that such as a certificate of attendance or completion.

Prescribers are also required to re-confirm the details of their linkage to a designated and experienced HIV specialist located in a dedicated HIV specialist unit in a public hospital. Prescribers will be required to complete the record and return it to ASHM by 15 December each year. Prescribers will be informed of any additional education activities that will attract prescriber points before the end of the year for those who are short of the required annual total of HIV CME points.

Annual reaccreditation
ASHM secretariat staff will notify all practitioners in January whether they have met the necessary criteria to maintain their HIV s100 prescriber accreditation for the following year. If a practitioner has not fulfilled the necessary reaccreditation requirements, they will be given the opportunity to remedy their situation by the end of March of that year. ASHM secretariat staff will assist HIV prescribers to access further training and additional CME activities as necessary to accrue their remaining HIV CME points and maintain their accreditation. However, if they have not attained the criteria by the end of March, they will cease to have authority to prescribe HIV s100 drugs within that jurisdiction.

Please note that the aim of the HIV CME program is to ensure prescribers maintain their clinical competency and hence, assist with maintenance of patient safety. It is not intended to be punitive.

Supplementary information requests
Where a practitioner has failed to provide adequate evidence that:

• Sufficient HIV CME activities have been completed in the triennium and preceding year, or
• Appropriate linkage is established with a designated qualified and experienced HIV specialist located at a HIV specialist unit in a public hospital

They will have an opportunity to:

• Provide additional information
• Establish linkage and relationships and/or
• Undertake further HIV CME activity

in order to maintain their HIV s100 accreditation.

For further information on HIV CME please contact:

Ms Niamh Lynn
Project Officer (HIV Program)
Professional Education Division
Locked Mail Bag 5057
Darlinghurst NSW 1300
Phone: (02) 8204 0723
Email: Niamh Lynn