Needs Assessment

Through needs assessment surveys, literature searches, advisory board suggestions, and previous meeting evaluations, the Foundation for Better Health Care has determined a need to address the current state of knowledge regarding women's health.


Evidence-Based, Case-Based Curriculum

The evidence-based, case-based curriculum integrates pathophysiology, seminal studies and clinical guidelines, and case studies that address common yet challenging clinical scenarios. Cases illustrate when and how to initiate and optimize therapeutic interventions. Early diagnosis and early intervention are emphasized as a means to improve patient outcomes.


Content Validation

The FBHC validates the content of its CME activities through a peer review process and by utilizing evidence-based medicine sources throughout the planning and implementation of its activities. Adopting the levels of evidence used by the American Academy of Family Physicians¹ and the principles of evidence-based medicine outlined by Sackett et al,² the FBHC rates the level of evidence of the literature used to determine needs and learning objectives, as well as all data cited and presented.

All recommendations involving clinical medicine are based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients. Further, all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in support or justification of a patient care recommendation conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.

Levels of Evidence¹

• Level A (randomized controlled trial [RCT]/meta-analysis)
• Level B (other evidence): A well-designed, nonrandomized clinical trial. A nonquantitative systematic review with appropriate search strategies and well-substantiated conclusions. Includes lower-quality RCTs, clinical cohort studies, and case-controlled studies with nonbiased selection of study participants and consistent findings. High-quality, historical, uncontrolled studies, or well-designed epidemiologic studies with compelling findings, are also included
• Level C (consensus/expert opinion)
  1. Siwek J, Gourlay ML, Slawson DC, Shaughnessy AF. How to write an evidence-based clinical review article. Am Fam Physician. 2002;65:251-258.
  2. Sackett DL, Straus SE, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB. Evidence-Based Medicine. 2nd ed. Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill Livingstone; 2000.

Physicians

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Foundation for Better Health Care and Women’s Healthcare Forum. The Foundation for Better Health Care is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Foundation for Better Health Care takes responsibility for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity.’


CME Credit Designation

The Foundation for Better Health Care designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3.75 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Nurses may be able to convert CME credit and are responsible for submitting their certificate of attendance to their individual state and/or national accrediting bodies. Individuals should check with their licensing boards to see whether they will accept these credits and how to record credit.


Identifying and Resolving Conflicts of Interest

The FBHC requires all planning committee members, faculty, teachers, authors, and staff of a CME activity to identify all relevant financial relationships that benefit the individual and his or her spouse or partner in any financial amount within the past 12 months. Such relationships may create the opportunity to affect the content of CME regarding the products or services of the commercial interest.

The FBHC has created the FBHC Committee to Identify and Resolve Conflicts of Interest, which reviews Faculty and Staff Disclosure Statements, identifies and resolves conflicts of interest, and determines the level of participation of planning committee members, faculty members, teachers, and authors.


FBHC Faculty and Staff Disclosure Policy

The Foundation for Better Health Care will disclose to participants the existence of any relevant financial relationships between faculty members, FBHC staff members, and the staffs of a Joint Sponsor and/or Educational Partner (when applicable), who planned, authored, contributed to, and/or reviewed the content of this activity, and any commercial interest discussed in this educational activity. Disclosure will occur prior to the presentation(s), either through oral communication to the audience by the moderator or chair, or written communication in the syllabus or handout material.


FBHC Disclosure

The FBHC reserves the right to substitute speakers and modify the program without notice, and will not be liable for any costs incurred by attendees as a result of Forum cancellation, including but not limited to airfare, hotel, meals, or other incidental expenses.

The FBHC does not endorse specific products of any pharmaceutical concern.


Cancellation/Substitution Policy

The FBHC and WHF will not issue refunds. If you must cancel, you may substitute another person in your place. You must make the substitution in writing to FBHC/WHF, 33 E. 33rd St., 8th Fl New York, NY, or by faxing at (212) 545-1378.


Grantors

The FBHC gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for their support of the WHF through educational grants: Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, North America, Inc., and TAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.