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Applying for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through Aurora Health Care

Aurora Health Care accredits CME activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ on an activity-by-activity basis. Activity planners who wish to offer CME credits through Aurora are required to apply for credits through an application process. The process for review and approval of CME applications for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ comes under the purview of the Aurora Health Care Office of Continuing Professional Development. The applications are reviewed and approved/denied based on the Aurora CME established criteria and policies. Application is a two-step process: First, the Preplanning Worksheet is filled out (Sample). After approval of the Preplanning Worksheet, the Application is filled out.

In addition to other criteria the activity must meet the following American Medical Association (AMA) criteria:

  • To be designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, educational activities must be planned with an accredited provider (the Aurora CPD office).
  • Conform to the AMA definition of CME.
  • Present content appropriate in depth and scope for a physician audience.
  • Be planned in accordance with the relevant CEJA opinions and the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support and be non-promotional in nature. (This includes marketing of one's services).
  • Based on an identified "Practice Gap".
  • Communicate a clearly identified educational purpose and/or objectives in advance of participation in the activity.
  • Be designed using AMA approved learning formats and learning methodologies appropriate to the activity's educational purpose and/or objectives; credit must be based on AMA guidelines for the type of learning format used.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness in achieving its educational purpose and/or objectives.
  • Are designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ in advance; activities cannot be retroactively designated for Category 1 Credit.

Expected results of the program

As a result of these educational activities, Aurora Health Care hopes to enhance physician and other medical personnel's awareness of the need for individualized health services so that the diverse physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and economic needs of the patient are met. The activities offered are intended to assist physicians in maintaining and developing the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high quality, cost effective care, and improve clinical outcomes.

Each CME activity that is approved is expected to measure its effectiveness. We expect that participants will demonstrate acquisition of new knowledge and strategies for change, as well as an expressed intent to change behavior through self-report or post-activity knowledge assessment. When observed or through self-report, we expect enhanced clinical performance. Lastly, if evaluated, we expect the improved performance to reflect positively on patient outcomes.