Complete Test Development Project Implemented

The NC-CME and SMT work together to successfully develop a new competency program.

Dunedin, FL - September 5, 2008 – Constant change tends to churn the standards that govern the field of continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. Despite the expertise required to manage the complexities of this mega-industry, there was no formal certification program to measure the professional competence of persons who develop and fund CME activities. That is, until one enterprising organization teamed with an experienced test development company to make history by developing and validating a certification exam in June 2008.

In October 2007, the National Commission for Certification of CME Professionals (NC-CME) contracted with Schroeder Measurement Technologies (SMT) to develop the first certification examination exclusively designed for employees in the continuing medical education (CME) field. NC-CME had determined an immediate need to establish a credentialing program that would meet the strict accreditation standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) - a subdivision of the National Organization of Competency Assurance (NOCA) – and sent out an RFP to find the best company in the business of developing certification exams.

The NC-CME’s Certified CME Professional (CCMEP) credential is a ground-breaking measure of competence for CME professionals, who develop and distribute educational activities essential to more than 700,000 practicing physicians and 70,000 physician assistants in the United States. The NC-CME certification will benefit the health of the public by providing assurance that physicians receive objective, unbiased information about medical advances. The credential will give organizations a method of verifying the knowledge and skills of their CME staff and will document their ability to be compliant with national guidelines developed by the Accreditation Council for CME (ACCME), the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG). According to the NC-CME’s website, minimum competency in the field of CME includes understanding principles of adult learning and professional development; knowing how to frame clinical content for maximum impact; and interpreting rules and regulations that define the field.

The NC-CME selected SMT to assist in the difficult process of developing a program that aims to become recognized by the NCCA. Tasks addressed by this collaboration included job analysis, test development, beta testing, item analysis, and test administration. The NC-CME tapped into SMT’s experience in working with healthcare organizations and the project hit the ground running with incredible speed. Expectations were set up front with detailed timelines, challenging both SMT and NC-CME. With Dana Anderson-Pancoe, Dr. Bhaskar Dawadi, and Darcy St. George managing the project, all deadlines were met and the test launched according to schedule.

“From the beginning, SMT played a critical part in the process of establishing the NC-CME program” noted Judy Ribble, PhD, NC-CME’s Executive Director. “Joel Karmazyn spoke so knowledgeably about establishing certification programs that he quickly gained the confidence of the Board. All along, the SMT program staff understood our needs and they were willing to go out on a limb to assist us in turning our concepts into realities.”

For other groups thinking about pursuing a credentialing program, Dr. Ribble recommended holding item-writing workshops at the SMT headquarters facility in Dunedin, Florida. She explained it resulted in a “bonding experience for our item writers and gave us the chance to appreciate the professional way that SMT staff members serve as mentors during the demanding process of writing credible test items.” When asked what made the workshop “work”, she complimented the Test Development staff: “The SMT team was a good match for our Subject Matter Experts. They quickly learned to speak our language and brought out the best in a group of highly educated people.”

“As Executive Director,” she continued, “I’ve been blessed with a Board that understands hard work and pitches in to make sure timelines are met. Groups interested in pioneering certification programs need to make sure their leaders are fully committed to seeing the development process through to completion. I’d say that NC-CME’s formula for success is a loyal Board, plus a test development partner delivering ‘on time and on budget’. SMT has truly exceeded our expectations.”

About SMT
SCHROEDER MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC (SMT) offers a wide range of examination and related support services to organizations that sponsor certification and licensing programs. Based on a thorough analysis of client needs, SMT applies innovative technologies and methodologies to ensure cost-effective solutions. SMT strictly adheres to important testing related guidelines and provides a full range of traditional examination services to credentialing agencies. For more information, visit their website at www.smttest.com.

About NC-CME
NC-CME is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt organization created in 2006 by an independent group of CME professionals committed to serving the public by creating a standard of competence for persons who create, deliver, and/or support CME programs. For more information, visit their website at www.NC-CME.org .