CME & Professional Activities
The following outlines options to complete the required 150 points of continuous learning during the Continuing Certification cycle. Points may be earned exclusively through Continuing Medical Education (CME) or a combination of CME and Professional Activities. Certificants must obtain a minimum of 108 points through CME and up to 42 points through Professional Activities. You can enter your points at any time throughout your 6-year certification cycle. Once you are eligible to recertify, your points will automatically tranfer to your application.
Review the Continuous Learning Guide to learn more about acceptable continuous learning points and how to record them in the My HMDCB Certification Center.
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Categories Eligible for Continuing Certification Credit
There are four categories of CME eligible for Continuing Certification credit. A summary of acceptable CME activities are found in the corresponding categories below. Of the total 150 continuous learning points required during the Continuing Certification cycle, a minimum of 108 points must be obtained through CME. One CME hour is equal to one point. For an overview of acceptable CME, click here.
Note: Certificants can meet this requirement with all CME and no professional activities if they so choose. Content must be related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint.
CME credits for the first three categories must be obtained from an accredited provider of medical education evidenced by reference to one or more of the following:
- AMA PRA Category 1™ credits
- Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians
- AOA Category 1-A or 2-A CME Credit
Attending Professional Workshops or Conferences
Attend CME sessions at a professional conference to further enhance your education. Conferences must be documented as including content related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint.
Attending Online Courses Specifically Designed to Enhance Competence
Internet or online courses including content related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint that enhance your education.
Independent Study
This category allows certificants to learn in their own environment. Approved study materials must be based on content related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint, such as the completion of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s self-study materials or the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s E-OL Courses and webcasts.
College/University Courses
Completing college/university courses from an accredited college or university to further enhance your education. Courses must be documented as including content related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint, have a defined curriculum, and designated faculty.
Non-Clinical Fellowship Hours
Completing non-clinical HPM fellowship courses to further enhance your education and professional development. Courses must be documented as including content related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint, have a defined curriculum, and designated faculty.
Professional Activities
Professional Activities Eligible for Continuing Certification Credit
There are eight categories of professional activities eligible for Continuing Certification credit. A summary of acceptable professional activities are found in the corresponding categories below. Up to 42 points may be earned in Professional Activities during the Continuing Certification cycle. For an overview of acceptable Professional Activities, click here.
Obtain/Maintain HPM Certification
Credit will be given if you maintain subspecialty certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Five points per year for every year you're certified throughout the Continuing Certification cycle. 5 points maximum per year
Obtain/Maintain a Certification in a Related Field
Credit will be given if you maintain subspecialty certification in: Pain Management, Geriatrics, or AMDA’s medical director certification. One point per year, per certification held throughout the Continuing Certification cycle. No Maximum
Special Project Performed in Work Setting
Special projects include performance measurement and improvement. Performance improvement (PI) activities describe structured, long-term processes by which a physician or group of physicians can learn about specific performance measures, retrospectively assess their practice, apply these measures prospectively over a useful interval, and re-evaluate their performance. Two points will be awarded per project. No Maximum
Volunteer Service
Volunteer participation in leadership responsibilities or committee involvement in a state or national professional organization, a hospice-provider or other organization directly related to the field of hospice and palliative medicine. One point will be awarded per year, per service. No Maximum
Preceptorship and Mentoring
Hospice physicians serving as supervisor or preceptor may apply hours spent supervising those practicing professionals of the interdisciplinary team in a structured program within the hospice setting. One point will be awarded per 10 hours of preceptorship maintained. 3 points maximum per year
Teaching, Lecturing, Presenting
Encompasses the certificant’s participation as an instructor delivering content related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint. The presentation must be delivered within a structured framework of teaching/learning. A presentation includes a seminar, in-service, clinical conference, consumer education program, and/or presenting an original paper or poster. The participation may be as the primary instructor, lecturer or panelist. No credit is given for repeat presentations of the same content. One point will be awarded per lecture hour. 4 points maximum per year
Publishing
Encompasses publications delivering content related to the HMDCB Content Blueprint. Responsibility in the publication may be authorship, co-authorship or editorial. The item to be published may be a book, chapter in a book, paper, article, abstract, book review, etc. One point will be awarded per publication. 4 points maximum per year
Journal Club Participation
Certificants participating in a structured journal club who meet regularly to critically evaluate articles related to content outlined in the HMDCB Content Blueprint may earn credit through their membership. Two points will be awarded if the club meets quarterly; three points for monthly. 3 points maximum per year
