Policy of the MUHC Continuing Education Committee with Respect to the Involvement of Commercial Organizations

Physicians use continuing medical education to update their knowledge and to ensure educated decision-making. Our principles, and those of all parties involved in CME, make it possible to avoid any pitfalls of commercially supported educational activities.

These are our principles:

1. The prime focus of all CME activities is the professional development of its participants for the purpose of maintaining quality care for their patients; NOT to serve the interests of the medical organization responsible for the activity, the organizers, resource persons or commercial firms.
2. The content of CME activities are objective, balanced and allow the expression of a variety of theories and recognized opinions.
3. All parties involved will avoid introducing elements that may bias themselves in the conduct and content of CME activities. These elements include personal benefits, remuneration over and above amounts usually paid, bonuses or personal gifts.
4. Choice of resource person, audio-visual and didactic materials presented during a CME activity is the exclusive responsibility of the medical organization in charge of the activity; NOT the commercial firms involved.
5. The affiliations, partnerships, financial support and other contributions linked to the activity content involving the medical organization, its organizer, its resource person with the commercial firm involved will be clearly and systematically defined for the participants.