gsb

The 2010 Government Supported Benefits 'Virtual' Summit
A unique web-based conference and series of accredited on-line self-learning programs focused on the impact of Heathcare reform on providers and patient care.

Executive Summary

From 2004 thru 2009, we have conducted the Government Supported Benefits Summit as a live three day conference in Utah, with 100 to 200 attendees each year, bringing together health policy researchers, key decision makers involved in Medicare Part D and Medicaid benefits, state program administrators, and industry representatives.

Given recent restrictions on attendee travel, shrinking sponsorship budgets, and improvements in web based conference technology, we have decided to transition this year’s summit into a series of on-line accredited self-learning programs, along with a Webinar to facilitate interactive discussion.

We will develop ten on-line self learning programs, which will be accredited for CME (physicians) and well as ACPE CE (pharmacists). Using email, we will invite physicians, pharmacists, and past summit attendees to participate in these programs. We will then invite self learning program participants to take part in an interactive Webinar. This Webinar will be recorded and put on a website, along with the on-line programs and a bulletin board / forum to promote further interaction. Once the Webinar is up on the website, another round of email will be used to generate participation.

We are currently seeking grants from the pharmaceutical industry to underwrite the costs of developing and producing these enduring on-line self learning programs and the interactive Webinar. We anticipate receiving grants of $30,000 from eight sponsors for a total budget of $240,000.

Past supporters and sponsors of the Government Supported Benefits Summit include Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Berlex, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Centocor, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, King Pharmaceuticals, Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Savient, Takeda, and TAP.

Needs Assessment Summary
Past summit attendees were surveyed as to the relevance of the proposed on-line self-learning programs. They were also asked about their learning gaps and areas of interest. We received many comments similar to “The topics of these CEs are hot issues…”. There exists numerous programs (both on-line and live) which will increase healthcare providers knowledge of disease and treatment options. There are also many references available related to healthcare policy. We feel that the proposed on-line ‘summit’ with its agenda covering the impact of heathcare policy on providers and patient care is unique and would serve to fill the learning gaps of its participants.

Please see the individual program listings which follow for more detailed information and the needs assessment of each program.

Objectives for On-line Self- Learning Program Participants:

Objectives for Webinar Participants:

Agenda

Detailed agendas for each topic are available by following the above links.

Program Description / Delivery Format / Evaluation Plan / Anticipated Audience
The virtual summit will consist of ten on-line self-learning program accredited for CME and ACPE CE which will consist of synchronized PowerPoint slides, video and audio of the presenter. Each will be approximately 1.0 hour in length. Pre-and Post- program tests, evaluations, and a 45 day post-program survey will be used to measure the effectiveness of each program. In addition to our past participants (which include key decision makers involved in Medicare Part D and Medicaid benefits) ,we will use email blasts to reach U.S. based Physicians and Managed Care Pharmacists nationwide. Examples of similar programs in terms of format can be found on:  www.med-ce-online.com

Participants in the Webinar will be requested to participate in the on-line programs prior to the Webinar, and will be surveyed regarding their areas of interest. Based upon the survey, an agenda for the Webinar will be developed, and moderators from the University of Utah will lead the discussion. Webex or similar technology will be used to conduct the Webinar.

A destination website www.gsb2010.org will be created. It will contain a portal to the self-learning programs, a recorded version of the Webinar, an area for literature and literature reviews, as well as a forum for policy researchers and clinicians to exchange ideas. On-line programs from past Government Supported Benefit Summit meetings will also be available. This website will be similar in structure to www.oaccm.org (Organization for Advancing Critical Care Monitoring), which Med-CE-online.com developed and has maintained since 2008.


Accreditation Statement (pending)

The on-line self learning programs will be educational and non-promotional in nature and will be planned, designed, and implemented in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Guidance on Industry-Supported Scientific and Educational Activities (“Policy Statement”) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education Standards for Commercial Support of Continuing Medical Education (“ACCME Standards”).

Physicians:

This program has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 10 Prescribed credit hours by the American Academy of Family Physicians. AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the AMA as equivalent to AMA PRA Category I for AMA The Physicians' Recognition Award. When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed hours earned must be reported as Prescribed hours, not as Category I. (This statement applies to all Physicians, not just Family Physicians).

Pharmacists:

Educational Review Systems, Inc is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  Through attending this program, up to 10.0 contact hours (1.0 CEU’s) may be awarded and a statement of credit issued to you upon completion of a program evaluation form, posttest (with a pass rate of 70% or higher) and an attendance verification form.

Anticipated Release Date:          October 1, 2010
Anticipated Expiration Date:        September 30, 2011      

Compliance with FDA Policy and ACCME Standards
The on-line programs will be educational and non-promotional in nature and will be planned, designed, and implemented in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Guidance on Industry-Supported Scientific and Educational Activities (“Policy Statement”) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education Standards for Commercial Support of Continuing Medical Education (“ACCME Standards”).

The Policy Statement and ACCME Standards require, among other things, that Educational Review Systems (ERS) conduct the program independently and without control or influence by the Sponsor over the program’s planning, content, and execution; that the program be free of commercial bias for or against any product; that the Sponsor may provide names of suggested speakers in response to ERS inquiry and only as one of a number of sources for such suggestions; that ERS discloses Sponsor’s support of the program, as well as any prior or additional support for any speaker; and that ERS does not allow the Sponsor to engage in any promotional activities in or near the program room (if applicable) or advertise its products in any materials disseminated as part of the program.

In addition, ERS is required by the Policy Statement and ACCME Standards to ensure that any product discussions at the program be objective, balanced, and scientifically rigorous. This includes a balanced discussion of each product and of treatment options, that limitations of the data are disclosed, the unapproved uses be identified as such, and that for live presentations there be opportunities for questioning and debate.

Furthermore, in accordance with the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the ACCME Standards, any educational grant money will not be used to subsidize the cost of travel, lodging, or registration fees for attendees or their spouses, or for meals or social events other than those for modest meals or events intended to facilitate discussion and held as part of the program.

Support and Sponsorship

We are in the process of obtaining grant funding for this program. At this in time, we have received either grants or committed funding from the following Pharmaceutical Companies: