Abu Dhabi’s Journey Towards Excellence in Continuing Medical Education

ABSTRACT Continuing medical education is essential to maintain and develop the skills of the healthcare workforce. Engagement with CME is required for maintaining practitioner licence in the United Arab Emirates. The CME environment in Abu Dhabi has been growing quickly, with rising numbers of activities and learner participation. Though Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health(DOH) has a history of regulating CME for its health professionals, it has typically relied on activity audits that have been inefficient and laborious. Consequently, the DOH evaluated and subsequently adopted international standards for provider accreditation and implemented a new model. That system incorporates eligibility standards, a digital system of registration, standards for ensuring learners are protected from advertising and promotion, expectations for educational outcomes, attendance verification, and program evaluation. DOH introduces an accreditation statement, set standards for activity documentation, data protection, and published a limited range of international systems whose credits could be recognized by DOH. Embedded in the new accreditation system is a restructured internal workforce, trained and supported to ensure accurate, consistent, and transparent accreditation decisions. DOH has supported implementation through a revised website, community meetings, provider training, and provider support services. DOH anticipates continuing evolution to support a culture of learning and competency management of the healthcare professionals in its workforce through CME, and in doing so support the delivery of high-quality healthcare to its citizens.