PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Continuing Education Credits

Accreditation
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.

CME Credit Hours
The AGS designates this educational activity for a maximum of 75 Category I credits toward the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician's Recognition Award (PRA), provided that the answers are submitted for computer scoring and at least 70% of the questions are answered correctly. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity. Diplomates of the American Board of Internal Medicine who are recertifying may also obtain Maintenance of Certification credits from the GRS6. This is in addition to category 1 credit and is more fully described below.

The GRS6 is accredited for physicians wishing to earn AMA PRA CME credits through December 2008. The AGS will review the program in November 2008 and a determination regarding extension of CME credits through December 31, 2009 will be announced in January 2009.

The GRS6 has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 75 Prescribed credits from the American Academy of Family Physicians, provided that the answers are submitted for computer scoring and at least 70% of the questions are answered correctly. The initial approval of the GRS6 for 75 Prescribed credits is for the period January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. The AGS will apply for renewal of Prescribed credits for the period January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009 following the review of the GRS6 for currency of content in mid-2007.

The American Osteopathic Association has determined that the GRS6 is eligible for up to 75 hours in Category 2-B of AOA CME, through December 31, 2009, provided that the answers are submitted for computer scoring and at least 70% of the questions are answered correctly.

Instructions for Submitting Answer Sheets for CME Credit
CME credit hours are awarded to participants on a one-time basis after participants submit the computerized score sheet generated from the CD-ROM program and if the program is successfully completed by answered 70% of the questions correctly. The type of continuing medical education credit requested must be indicated on the answer sheet. Once you have installed the CD-ROM, the program will guide you through completion of the self-assessment exam. There are two ways to submit your answer sheet for CME credit. The answer scores can be uploaded through the CD-ROM program if you are logged onto the internet. Alternatively, upon program completion, the answer sheet can be printed and submitted in the envelope addressed to Program Management Services, Inc. (PMSI).

Notification of CME Examination Performance
PMSI will evaluate answers and mail an individualized performance report to each participant. For those who successfully complete the program, a CME certificate will be enclosed with the report. For those who do not successfully complete the program, another opportunity will be given to retake the examination. Both types of notices will be sent to you within 3-4 weeks of submission. All score results are considered confidential.

Questions about CME certificates should be directed to PMSI at 1-800-232-4422.

Earning Credit for Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has approved the GRS6 self-assessment program for 100 lifelong learning points for those ABIM diplomates enrolled in the MOC program. The MOC option is only available through the GRS6 CD-ROM and not through the print version of the program. One hundred lifelong learning points will be awarded provided that the answers are submitted for computer scoring and 70% of the questions are answered correctly. To qualify for MOC credits, the Diplomate must be registered with the ABIM as a participant in the MOC program. To check your MOC registration status, visit: https://www.abim.org/services/modulecheck.aspx?module=GRA200601. Diplomates may claim both MOC and Category 1 CME credits (as detailed above) for completing the GRS6 and we encourage participants to check off both categories on the registration form.

If you meant to apply for MOC credits but did not request this during registration, upon completion of the exam, you may edit your profile, complete the ABIM MOC information, and submit your exam online for processing of both CME and/or MOC credits.

Instructions for Submitting Answers for Maintenance of Certification Credit
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits are awarded on a one-time basis after participants submit the computerized score sheet generated from the GRS6 CD-ROM program and if the program is successfully completed. Once the CD-ROM is installed, the program will guide you through completion of the self-assessment exam. To earn MOC credit, you must be logged onto the internet and electronically upload your completed exam to Program Management Services, Inc. (PMSI). PMSI will then process and transfer the exam data to ABIM for your MOC credit.

Notification of Maintenance of Certification Exam Performance
For those requesting Maintenance of Certification Credits, PMSI will evaluate your answers and provide ABIM with a copy of your exam. An individual performance report will be sent to you from PMSI within 3-4 weeks of your submission of answers. Once ABIM has reviewed your exam and made a determination, ABIM will post the number of MOC credits you earned for participating in the GRS6 to your home page on its web site and also send you a notification about credits earned. If you are unsuccessful in passing 70% of the questions correctly, you will be given an opportunity to retake the exam.

User Eligibility for CME or MOC Credits
Each print or CD-ROM copy of the GRS6 is valid for CME credits only for one participant. Each CD-ROM copy is valid for only one user to claim MOC credits.

Question Analysis
AGS will post an analysis of participant performance on the Syllabus Questions to the AGS web site (http://www.americangeriatrics.org) once 250 answer sheets have been scored.

User Evaluation
The AGS would appreciate participants' comments about the GRS6 program through the user evaluation at the end of the CD-ROM self-assessment program. Comments and suggestions will be taken into consideration by those planning the next edition.

Congruity of Content between Syllabus and Questions
Since the Syllabus chapters and the questions with critiques are written by different authors, questions may not always correlate directly with the Syllabus. In the event that a question's content is not addressed in the correlating chapter, its answer is fully supported in the question critique.

Updates and Errata
Important updates, such as medication alerts, will be posted as necessary on the AGS web site: http://www.americangeriatrics.org.

Please report any errata to: info.amger@americangeriatrics.org, Attention: GRS Managing Editor. Identified errata will be posted on the AGS web site: http://www.americangeriatrics.org.

AGS Geriatrics Recognition Award
The Geriatrics Recognition Award (GRA) was developed by the AGS to encourage health care professionals to acquire special knowledge and keep abreast of the latest developments in geriatrics through continuing education programs. The GRA demonstrates a health care professional's commitment to providing quality care to patients by participating in continuing education programs in geriatrics. It provides professional recognition of a health care professional's special knowledge in geriatrics sought by many employers.

CME credits earned from successfully completing the GRS6 may be applied toward the GRA. To receive more information and an application, please provide your mailing address to the American Geriatrics Society CME Department, Empire State Building, Suite 801, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118, telephone (212) 308-1414, fax (212) 832-8646.

GRS6 Online (Web version)
The GRS6 will soon be available via the web through institutional subscriptions. Subscribers can purchase yearly access to the full GRS6 Syllabus along with the questions and critiques for all of their students and faculty to use through their institutional intranets. For more information on this great teaching resource, please call Elvy Ickowicz at 212-308-1414 or e-mail her at eickowicz@americangeriatrics.org.