A Glossary in Support of Physicians' Continuing Professional Development Across the World

Abstract

ABSTRACT As the physician learning environment becomes more global, the importance of a common language for CME/CPD is becoming increasingly important in order that physicians, the regulatory community, and the public may grasp the meaning of particular terms and understand the context in which they are being used. Establishment of a common language for continuing professional development is essential for developing substantive equivalency agreements among regulatory jurisdictions and improving the quality of CME/CPD systems worldwide. The International Academy for CPD Accreditation (IACPDA) developed a glossary of commonly used terms and consensus-based definitions of those terms. There is not an expectation that accrediting bodies must change their terminology to conform to the glossary. Rather, the intent is for the glossary to facilitate greater understanding and potential for harmonization of standards among CME/CPD accreditors, certifying boards, medical regulatory authorities and other stakeholders, thus enabling improvement worldwide in the quality of CME/CPD activities in which health professionals participate, and therefore improvement in their competence and practice performance. This article highlights synergies created by a standardization in CME/CPD terminology and summarizes the methodology used, and design of, the new glossary of terminology by the IACPDA. While the IACPDA has identified modifications and enhancements to be incorporated into future updates, the current glossary is already publicly accessible. The IACPDA welcomes comments from all stakeholders, including the medical regulatory community.