PURPOSE
The purpose of the Continuing Medical Education Program is to assess the educational needs of Providence Tarzana Medical Center Medical Staff and, as determined by those needs, to provide broad educational programs of excellence that will enhance optimal patient care.

CONTENT AREAS
The content of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program will support the physician by providing educational programs from various disciplines that address current issues in community practice, advances in technology, updates from current research, and new directions in patient care.

TARGET AUDIENCE
The Program’s target audience is diverse. The needs assessment process will identify pertinent issues for primary care physicians, in addition to the many specialists and sub-specialists, that serve Providence Tarzana Medical Center surrounding communities. This comprehensive program is made possible by the integration of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Department’s plans with requests from Department Education Chairpersons and the Performance Improvement Committee.

ACTIVITIES
Educational activities will range from one-hour Grand Rounds presentations to daylong symposia. Department programs will include case presentations, lectures, and Tumor Board discussions and panel discussions. Activities are conducted on the hospital premises, as well as off-site.

The Department of Medical Education will monitor attendance, the attendee’s responses, and grant CME Category 1 Credits accumulated for individual programs. Programs will be designed to complement and assist Performance Improvement findings, and their re-evaluation of appropriate documentation.

EXPECTED RESULTS
The Department of Medical Education encourages the dissemination of current knowledge regarding advances in medicine that will result in changed attitudes toward disease, modification of assessment strategies, and a variety of therapeutic approaches, to improve medical practice and patient outcomes.

MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
The effectiveness of the Medical Education Program is monitored via evaluations, completed by attendees and reviewed by the Continuing Medical Education Committee and Department of Medical Education. Ongoing monitoring is conducted via the Performance Improvement Program for the Medical Staff and is reported to the Medical Executive Committee and Governing Board. Through this ongoing assessment, the Hospital and Medical Staff are able to assure that improvements are continuously made in the quality and safety of care provided to patients at the Hospital.

CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC COMPETENCY - Assembly Bill 1195
Medical education activities will include a cultural and linguistic component in most of the activities.

REFERENCE: 2008 IMQ/CMA CME Accreditation Standards - Edition - Essential Area 1