Does the ACCME require a signed disclosure form as the means to demonstrate compliance with Standard for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education Standard 3?
No. The ACCME does not require that providers use a disclosure form to collect information about financial relationships of all persons in control of content of an educational activity. A disclosure form is one mechanism that providers may use to obtain (and show that they possess) this information. Other examples could include:
- Collecting the information verbally and recording it in a spreadsheet, table, or database
- Collecting disclosure information electronically (for example, via e-mail, web-based form, or database)
The ACCME requires accredited providers to obtain information about the financial relationships of all persons in control of content. The obtaining of this information is a key component of the process to ensure the independence of educational activities (see Standard 3). Providers may choose the mechanism(s) to obtain this information that best suit their organizational needs and can be used to demonstrate compliance to the ACCME.