What is the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 credit?
Category 1 CME activities are: • Formally planned activities that include documentation of acceptable needs assessment, learning objectives, education design, an evaluation method and disclosure. • Planned and implemented in full compliance with the ACCME standards for Commercial Support. • Prospectively certified for credit by an ACCME-accredited CME provider. Category 2 CME activities are all educational activities not designated for Category 1, which have improved the care that a physician provides for his or her patients. Some examples are: • Consultation with peers and medical experts • Developing and reviewing quality assessment data (Morbidity and Mortality) • Use of electronic databases in patient care • Use of enduring materials (reading medical books, periodicals, and web sites) • Small group discussions • Self-assessment activities • Journal club activities not designated Category 1 • Teaching health professionals (medical students, residents, physicians, nurses, and allied
There are two categories of AMA credit. Category 1 activities are designated by an accredited provider before the physician participates. Examples include attendance and presentations at a conference where AMA PRA Category 1 credit will be given. Physicians may also earn credit for publishing an article in a peer-reviewed journal and meritorious learning experiences that have been pre-approved for credit. Category 2 activities, by contrast, have not been formally designated by an accredited provider for Category 1 credit. Individual physicians may claim Category 2 credit for learning experiences that have improved the care they provide their patients. Category 2 activities include reading journal articles and consulting with colleagues. Many times participation in these activities cannot be documented.
