Chapter 8 — Credits, Categories, Accreditation & Reporting
8.1 Policy Statement
ARmed for Medical Training and Consultancy – LLC – OP.C shall apply a transparent and standardized credit system in accordance with DOH CME/CPD requirements.
- Credits reflect the actual learning time (contact or e-learning).
- Categories classify activities by type and format.
- Accreditation ensures activities are formally recognized.
- Reporting ensures timely submission to DOH and accountability to learners and regulators.
Reference: DOH requires that providers apply uniform credit calculations, retain records for 6 years, and report learner completions within 30 days.
8.2 Rationale
- Quality Assurance Manual: mandates that accredited providers award credits proportionally to learner participation and report them accurately.
- Activity Development Guide: stresses the link between credit assignment and educational outcomes, ensuring activities are not only time-based but outcome driven.
- Transparent reporting maintains learner trust and ensures regulatory compliance.
8.3 Credit System
8.3.1 Credit Calculation
- 1.0 Credit = 60 minutes of direct educational activity.
- 0.5 Credit = 30 minutes.
- 0.25 Credit = 15 minutes (minimum reportable unit).
8.3.2 Prorating of Credits
- Attendance <100% is prorated according to actual time attended.
- Example: if an activity = 4 hours (4 credits), but learner attends only 2.5 hours, credit awarded = 2.5.
DOH Requirement: Credits must always be based on documented attendance logs or LMS time-on-task reports.
8.4 Categories of CME/CPD
8.4.1 Category 1 — Formal Learning
- Accredited CME/CPD activities.
- Includes: conferences, workshops, simulation, e-learning (synchronous & asynchronous).
- Credits calculated per DOH formula.
- Must have documented needs assessment, gap analysis, and evaluation.
8.4.2 Category 2 — Non-Formal Learning
- Self-directed learning: reading journals, writing articles, presenting at meetings, quality improvement projects.
- Evidence required (published article, project report, certificate).
- Subject to DOH recognition policies.
8.5 Accreditation
8.5.1 Provider Accreditation
- ARmed UAE is accredited by DOH Abu Dhabi as a CME/CPD provider, meeting criteria for eligibility, integrity, and independence.
8.5.2 Activity Accreditation
- Each activity must be submitted for DOH accreditation before delivery, with:
- Needs Assessment Report.
- Gap Analysis.
- Objectives.
- Agenda & design dossier.
- Faculty COI disclosures.
- Accreditation validity applies only to approved versions of the activity.
8.6 Accreditation Statement
All learner-facing materials (brochures, certificates, agendas) must include the DOH-approved accreditation statement:
“ARmed for Medical Training and Consultancy – LLC – OP.C is accredited by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to provide CME/CPD for healthcare providers. This activity has been designated for a maximum of [X] CME/CPD credits.”
Prohibited:
- Logos, product names, or commercial branding in accreditation statements.
8.7 Certificates
8.7.1 Conditions for Issuing
- Attendance verified (≥75% of activity).
- Evaluation form completed.
- Assessments passed (if applicable).
8.7.2 Certificate Contents
- Provider legal name.
- DOH accreditation statement.
- Learner name and license number.
- Activity title, date, and location/format.
- Number of credits awarded.
- Unique certificate number.
8.7.3 Certificate Archival
- Copies of issued certificates retained for 6 years.
8.8 Reporting to DOH
8.8.1 Reporting Requirement
- Providers must upload learner completion data to DOH CME/CPD system within 30 days of activity completion.
8.8.2 Data Fields
- Learner name and license number.
- Activity title, date, category, and credits.
- Attendance percentage.
- Pass/fail status (if assessment included).
8.8.3 Timelines
- Reports generated by CME/CPD Coordinator.
- Reviewed and approved by Scientific Director.
- Uploaded within 30 days; confirmation receipt archived.
8.9 Escalation & Corrective Actions
- Late reporting (<30 days): CAPA log entry, reviewed by Oversight Committee.
- Incorrect credit calculation: corrected in DOH system; affected learners notified.
- Serious non-compliance (systematic errors, deliberate inflation of credits): reported to DOH within 10 working days.
8.10 Continuous Quality Improvement
- Analysis of learner certificate errors, reporting delays, and feedback.
- Benchmarking against international CME/CPD credit systems (ACCME).
- Improvement actions logged in CAPA register.