American Academy of Emergency Medicine

AAEM Board Member, Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM sent the following letter to ABEM President Gwendolyn Hoffman, MD. This letter is in response to a letter sent to ABEM Diplomates concerning the EMCC survey.

"Dear Dr. Gwendolyn Hoffman:

I received your October 5, 2001 letter to ABEM Diplomates and the accompanying summary of EMCC survey findings. In reporting ABEM's position regarding CME credit I read, "AABEM is encouraging ACEP, SAEM, and other EM organizations to provide CME for completing the self-assessment exams." Since AAEM was not listed by name, I thought you might be unfamiliar with our CME projects. Please allow me this opportunity to share some of our accomplishments.

AAEM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor CME for physicians. We designate our educational activities on an hour-for-hour basis in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. All faculty participating in continuing medical education programs sponsored by AAEM disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest to the content of their presentations.

AAEM offers up to 25 hours of category 1 CME free of charge to attendees of our Scientific Assembly as a member benefit. Our 8th Scientific Assembly will be in San Francisco, from March 14-17, 2002 and has a full slate of prominent Emergency Medicine lecturers.

In addition, through a cooperative endeavor with EmedHome.com, we award one free hour of CME per article to physicians that read them and complete the accompanying quiz. In the course of a year, ABEM Diplomates (whether or not they are AAEM members) can earn 26 free hours of category 1 CME. The process is unbelievably user-friendly as you print your CME certificate as soon as you complete the module.

As you know, AAEM is a staunch advocate for board certification. In fact, this is an absolute requirement of our voting members. AAEM fully supports the work being done by you and the rest of the ABEM Board, especially with regard to the EMCC program. Your advancements continue to strengthen our specialty."