The European Accreditation Committee in CNS (EACIC) regularly provides European CME accreditation for congresses or meetings, sponsored meetings (satellite symposia or stand-alone sponsored meetings), and enduring materials (internet-based education such as webinars, round-table discussions, journals, etc.).
In order to prevent bias in any kind of activity in the European CME setting, the following four principles should be practised by all parties giving presentations at CME activities.
Principle 1
CME is conducted for the further education of a select audience (physicians and other health professionals) and, by extension, for the benefit of their patients. It promotes the dissemination of knowledge, skills, and effective care.
Principle 2
CME programmes should be objective and, where legitimate differences or contrasting views occur, balanced.
Principle 3
Presentations must give a balanced view of therapeutic options. Faculty use of generic names will contribute to this impartiality.
Principle 4
The information presented must be unbiased. Disclosure of any conflict of interest or other potentially biasing factors must be imparted to the audience. Disclosure should help participants make judgements about potential bias.