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PRESS RELEASE
12/20/02
Contact: Donna M. Liewer, FCLB Executive Director
970-356-3500 / FAX 970-356-3599 / on the web www.fclb.org / dliewer@fclb.org
FCLB Unveils Draft PACE Program for CE Provider Approval
"The chiropractic profession is the real winner with PACE"
Concluding four years of initial development, the Federation of Chiropractic
Licensing Boards (FCLB) has been widely circulating a draft copy of the design
of uniform standards for licensing boards to use to approve continuing
education.
Entitled PACE - Chiropractic (Providers of Approved Continuing Education -
Chiropractic), the program sets forth a system of outcome-based Criteria
to address both in-person and distance learning methods.
"We developed this program in response to requests from the licensing boards and
the CE program providers," commented Dr. Wayne C. Wolfson, FCLB president. "The
current process is quite burdensome and costly. During the four years of
development, we have received some terrific guidance from many people with an
interest in CE. As we have addressed their concerns they have become real
advocates.
"Sometimes change is difficult, but we want to assure the profession that there
is nothing philosophically restrictive about this voluntary program. We urge
people to study the draft program and be part of its continued development. We
welcome constructive suggestions for its improvement and 'real world'
solutions."
As envisioned, the PACE Criteria will be established and maintained by
the Council on Chiropractic Education, and applied by the PACE Committee of the
FCLB.
"We look to the CCE as experts in the area of educational standards, and believe
they have the experience and necessary organizational mechanisms to assume these
responsibilities," Dr. Wolfson said. "This design also provides colleges with an
avenue for direct input to help establish the Criteria by which they
would be assessed."
As co-chair of the FCLB task force to develop a uniform CE approval process,
FCLB vice president Dr. Richard Cole described the underlying rationale.
"Continuing education is a requirement for chiropractic relicensure by 49 US
boards and a number of Canadian provinces as a critical ingredient in the
regulatory mission to protect the public. We all realize that learning does not
end with the award of the DC degree, and boards have recognized the importance
of quality ongoing education.
"What we learned from extensive surveys of colleges, boards and CE providers is
that there are significant problems with the current process. Colleges and
providers are frustrated by the expense, time delays, and varied processes
required by licensing boards for approval. The boards are equally frustrated in
their attempts to approve and ensure quality CE, and the requisite expense,
time, effort, and expertise necessary to do this."
"The task force sought to address these problems, to create a win-win-win-win
situation. The new, centralized approval process benefits practitioners, program
providers, state associations, licensing boards, and the public. In short, the
real winner is the chiropractic profession," he said.
Observing that most licensed health professions have a centralized approval
process with uniform standards, Dr. Cole noted the program design was able to
take advantage of the experience of programs which have proven track records of
success. "The CE task force has focused on approving ‘providers' rather than
individual programs. We believe that the vast majority of CE currently offered
will easily qualify for PACE approval, with few or no changes to their existing
programs."
Dr. Wolfson explained that boards will be encouraged to retain the current
system whereby they may approve individual programs, in addition to adopting the
PACE Criteria and program. "We recognize that some excellent CE programs may be
suited for a limited audience, and the provider may not wish to apply for PACE
approval or seek partnership with another PACE provider. These may choose to
apply directly to the state board for approval, since participation in PACE is
not mandatory."
Briefly, the PACE program is designed as follows:
1. Chiropractic regulatory boards allow for PACE approval, while retaining the
current individual approval process as well
2. CE providers seek recognition for their institutions or organizations
3. PACE Recognized Providers register courses with FCLB
4. Practitioners have reliable information about CE that qualifies for
licensure renewal in many jurisdictions
So what's in it for the profession?
- Single application process for CE program providers, instead of varying
individual state requirements and applications
- Uniform criteria for approval
- Automatic program approval if the provider adheres to PACE Policies &
Procedures and Criteria
- Automatic record keeping for doctors and boards
- Professional credibility
Dr. Cole also explained that any entity or individual which has offered CE
programs for at least a year can apply to be a Recognized Provider.
Initial recognition would be for a year, with subsequent approval periods of up
to three years.
"We understand from the postgraduate programs at our colleges that both the cost
and frustration have been high to apply to multiple jurisdictions with varying
requirements. Once a provider has Recognized status, they simply register their
programs with the FCLB for a modest fee. This central registry assures
practicing doctors that their CE will qualify for relicensure credit and helps
them comply with varying requirements in different jurisdictions. The public is
assured that PACE programs meet reasonable and uniform Criteria to help
professionals continue to develop their skills."
Dr. Wolfson pointed out the benefits to state associations. "Our professional
associations are often on the front line with legislatures, asserting that the
profession is meeting sound standards for quality public health care. The PACE
credentialing standard helps them immensely.
"Also, an association may partner with a PACE provider (such as the
post-graduate department of a chiropractic college) to sponsor quality programs
at association meetings, or may even decide to become PACE providers
themselves," he said.
A second component of PACE provides for extensive data storage support for
chiropractic regulatory boards and field practitioners.
Dr. Wolfson described this benefit to practitioners. "Regulatory boards have
relied on tedious random audits, placing a burden on doctors to produce evidence
of fulfilling CE requirements. The central data storage will not only remove
this burden from the doctor but also greatly reduce the workload for boards, as
reports can be generated by computer to guarantee compliance with state law. It
also complies with an emerging trend of mandated tracking of regulatory data.
"In our preview focus groups, practitioners have been most excited about the
value of this practical side benefit of PACE."
Dr. Cole commented, "The costs of operating the PACE program are significant.
It's not an easy task for the FCLB to assure initial and continued compliance
with these voluntary Criteria – and also allow for ongoing modifications
to reflect growth in educational methods and content.
"However, we believe the net cost to the entire profession would be greatly
reduced. Working together literally pays off for chiropractic," he said.
The FCLB has circulated the draft design extensively this fall among its member
boards at regional meetings, and with an extended group of advisors which
include major CE program providers.
The draft PACE design (including the Policies & Procedures and
Criteria) is posted on the Federation's website at www.fclb.org. "Our
intention is to benefit the profession and not be burdensome. Great ideas and
helpful suggestions are welcome as this program continues to emerge," noted Dr.
Wolfson. "We are providing an opportunity to enlist the talent and response of
the entire profession."
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Federation
of Chiropractic Licensing Boards
FAX 970.356.3599