Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why does GSK fund continuing medical education (CME)?

Most doctors and other healthcare professionals must take accredited medical education courses to maintain their licenses and hospital privileges. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and others set accreditation criteria and commercial support standards for providers of these activities.

All CME programs are independent of GSK influence or involvement in the content. GSK is committed to compliance with guidance provided by the US Food and Drug Administration, pharmaceutical industry trade groups, the ACCME and other external organizations important to independent medical education.

GSK agrees that it is critical for healthcare professionals to continue their professional development and understand advances in the science of disease and in therapeutic area advances in patient care. By funding independent CME, we help healthcare professionals enhance their knowledge, competence, and performance in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases where clinical practice gaps exist. Evidence-based independent education helps close these gaps, and by supporting independent education as part of our mission, GSK helps people Do More, Feel Better, and Live Longer.

Q. Who is eligible for GSK funding for CME?

In 2010, GSK identified an initial group of 20 organizations that it invited to compete for CME funding. The group was expanded to 24 in 2011. No organization was guaranteed funding.

For 2010, organizations selected were those who most rigorously met all of the following criteria:

1) Academic medical centers or their affiliated teaching or patient care institutions or national-level professional associations that represent healthcare professionals who deliver patient care; and

2) Directly accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body (eg, ACCME, ACPE, or the equivalent) and have a centralized CME department; and

3) Demonstrated or predicted capability of designing and delivering CME initiatives that improve healthcare professional performance (Level 5) and patient health (Level 6) and a history of collaborative efforts among multiple stakeholders.

For 2011, organizations added to the previous list of 20 met each of following criteria:

1) Academic medical centers or their affiliated teaching or patient care institutions or national-level professional associations that represent healthcare professionals who deliver patient care; and

2) Have a centralized CME department, be directly accredited by ACCME, and currently have Accreditation with Commendation status with ACCME; and

3) Demonstrated or predicted capability of designing and delivering CME initiatives that improve healthcare professional performance (Level 5) and patient health (Level 6) and a history of collaborative efforts among multiple stakeholders.

The selected organizations for 2011 are:

American Academy of Family Physicians	Mount Sinai School of Medicine
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists	National Comprehensive Cancer Network
American Society of Hypertension	National Jewish Health
Baylor College of Medicine	Swedish Medical Center
Boston University School of Medicine	University of Florida College of Medicine
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center	University of Nebraska Medical Center
City of Hope	University of North Texas Health Science Center
Duke University School of Medicine	University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Endocrine Society	University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Palmetto Health Richland CME Organization
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine	University of Virginia School of Medicine
Joslin Diabetes Center	University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine	Yeshiva University Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Montefiore Medical Center)

New organizations will be added as GSK’s disease state interests expand, additional potential recipients are identified that meet the guidelines, past applicants change their focus or other providers become more competitive or now meet the criteria.

Changes will be posted to GSK’s Center for Medical Education website: www.partnersinknowledge.com.

Q. Why eliminate medical education companies?

There have been criticisms about the perceived influence and compromised independence commercial supporters have on medical education companies. We have heard those criticisms and, although we have had policies to assure independence and fair balance in educational activities developed by medical education companies, we want to go a step further to avoid even the appearance of improper influence.

GSK, however, does still permit medical education companies to collaborate with the medical education providers selected to participate in our competitive funding model. The providers are responsible for determine the role of the medical education company in that collaboration and insuring that the educational initiatives are fair balanced and of the highest quality.

Q. What type of CME initiatives receive funding from GSK?

GSK will fund independent medical education in disease areas chosen because of the medical, social and economic burden they pose to society and the healthcare system.  These areas illustrate the optimal intersection of patient needs, healthcare professional performance gaps, healthcare system quality gaps, and areas of scientific and research interest within GSK. The areas of focus for 2011 are: antimicrobial stewardship and resistance, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atopic dermatitis, cardio-metabolic patient, epilepsy, immunizations, leukemias, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Grant proposals must include comprehensive, evidence-based needs assessment clearly identifying patient healthcare gaps and specific learning objectives designed to close those gaps.  To measure effectiveness, a valid and robust educational outcomes assessment must be performed independently by the educational provider.

More information is available on GSK’s Center for Medical Education website, www.partnersinknowledge.com.

Q. How much money does GSK award in CME grants?

Available funding levels depend on the quality, scope and complexity of the educational program and its anticipated impact on improving patient health. GSK awarded a total of $6 million in 2010.

GSK will fund a select number of educational initiatives designed to close HCP performance gaps and improve patient health.

A list of recent grants and an executive summary of the funded proposal is posted at GSK’s Center for Medical Education website (www.partnersinknowledge.com).

Q. When does GSK award grants?

There are typically two funding cycles per year. Details about the submission and decision cycles are available on GSK’s Center for Medical Education website: www.partnersinknowledge.com. These cycles may change based on various conditions. The website will always have the latest information.

Q. How can my group apply?

Organizations interested in applying to compete in GSK’s competitive funding model are permitted to apply during an “open” registration period which occurs once a year. Details about the qualification criteria, application process and “open” registration timeline are available on GSK’s Center for Medical Education website: www.partnersinknowledge.com. Based on various conditions GSK may change this “open” registration period. The website will always have the latest information on changes to this process.

Q. How do you answer the criticism that CME typically focuses on commercial products instead of a broader discussion of patient care?

GSK only supports CME programs that intend to educate healthcare professionals in a balanced and unbiased manner. Topics for support do align with disease states of interest and scientific expertise for GSK, patient needs, healthcare provider clinical practice gaps and healthcare system gaps. Educational content and delivery, faculty selection, venue location, etc. are all independently chosen by the educational provider.

GSK is committed to compliance with industry guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as industry trade groups and CME accrediting organizations. Educational programs must focus on a clinical care or patient health gap, not a product knowledge gap. Gaps should be rooted in evidence-based, objectively defined indicators of quality care or patient health goals such as those defined by AHRQ, NCQA, CMS and other organizations. Specific product knowledge gaps can be addressed through non-independent or promotional educational programs developed by GSK to educate HCPs on our products.

Q. Where can I go with questions?

Applicants can email the Center for Medical Education at CenterforMedicalEducation@gsk.com.

Additional information is posted at www.partnersinknowledge.com as it becomes available.