American College of Cardiology

American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) New Disclosure Policy
Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need a new disclosure policy for CME activities?

The ACCF is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) activities to physicians. In 2004, the ACCME updated its Standards for Commercial Support and included new disclosure requirements for CME providers. These updated standards, required to be operational after May 2005, are a key part of ACCME’s overall mission to ensure validity of CME content and independence from commercial interest. The ACCME will base its future accreditation decisions on substantial compliance with all accreditation Standards. Consequently, the College must update its disclosure policy accordingly.

To which activities does this new policy apply?

Any activity offering CME or CE credit must abide by this new policy.

Who is impacted by this new policy?

All “education contributors,” or anyone in a position to control the content. This includes speakers, program directors, moderators, faculty, authors, editors, reviewers, members of planning committees, and key staff.

What’s really changing?

• Education contributors will need to complete disclosure forms earlier in the development process than in the past. Disclosure will now be requested as part of the invitation/final selection process.
• Disclosure alone no longer suffices. All perceived conflicts of interest must be resolved prior to the activity.
• Disclosure for members of educational planning committees will now be shared with peers and the audience.
• The expanded disclosure form includes level of relationship and topic to which the relationship applies. (ACCF is developing an internal disclosure tracking database to reduce redundancy.)
• ACCME requires that faculty who fail to comply be disqualified from participating in the activity.
• An on-site disclosure slide will be required at the beginning of each speaker’s presentation. Your staff activity liaison will provide you with a template.

Why has “level of relationship” been added to the disclosure information?

This is an ACCF policy that reflects recommendations from Task Force 3 in the 2004 ACCF/AHA Consensus Conference Report on Professionalism and Ethics.

How will conflicts of interest be resolved?

• Disclosure information will be peer reviewed by the selection committee, the activity director, or the editor with “significant” levels (i.e., those worth $10,000 or more) receiving closer scrutiny.
• Resolution methods will vary, depending on the nature of the conflict. For example, a contributor may be reminded that all content must be based on best available scientific evidence, etc.
• The recommended resolution will be shared with the contributor so s/he has time to incorporate any changes into his/her educational contribution.

When does this new policy go into effect?

May 31, 2005. ACCF staff liaisons will contact all activity directors and editors to discuss implementation. All contributors are welcome to call ACCF if they have questions.

Who can I call if I have more questions?