The Joslin Diabetes Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, announced the launch of a landmark research initiative to establish accuracy and predictive value of current assessment methodologies for CME (Certified Continuing Medical Education) in order to inform ongoing efforts to improve diabetes care.
According to a press release, the research will utilize electronic and other data capture to track performance in clinical practice in areas specific to diabetes and cardiometabolic risk, and is designed to determine the efficacy and legitimacy of surrogate outcomes measures for CME programs. These data will be used to set the standard for these assessment methodologies, including self-report, competency assessment and chart pull techniques.
“Rigorous methods should be employed in the search for effective tools for advancing the adoption of best practices in chronic disease care,” said Julie Brown, Joslin’s Executive Director of Professional Education. “Medical education that utilizes an evidence-based, methodical design to improve clinical performance is one of the best tools available to improve patient health outcomes.”
Brown continued, “We are grateful to Pfizer for their funding and their innovation in issuing a ‘challenge’ for others to fund the research, which is outside of the ‘normal’ scope of most commercial support of CME. We are thrilled that Glaxo Smith Kline and Lilly & Co have provided the needed funds to complete the research.”
According to William Sigmund, MD, Senior Vice President of North America Medical Affairs at GlaxoSmithKline, “GSK and the Center for Medical Education are pleased to be able to contribute to the body of research into the effectiveness of medical education. Joslin’s publication of results from this research initiative will provide valuable information on the effectiveness of medical education that utilizes an evidence-based design to improve clinical performance and patient health outcomes.”
Pfizer supported 50% of this grant as a challenge to other commercial supporters to step up and support this important research, a challenge that was answered by GlaxoSmithKline and Lilly & Co.
The findings from this research will undoubtedly inform and perhaps change the metrics and reporting methods currently acceptable for the assessment of performance in practice linked to CME and PI CME for health care professionals.
Brown indicated that the study design and instruments have been developed and that the implementation phase is set to begin. “Data should be flowing in the second and third quarter of 2012. After that time we will have a clearer sense of when we can expect preliminary results.” she said.
Be aware of drugs that potentiate diabetes.
Eli Lilly Zyprexa Olanzapine issues linger.
The use of powerful antipsychotic drugs has increased in children as young as three years old. Weight gain, increases in triglyceride levels and associated risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The average weight gain (adults) over the 12 week study period was the highest for Zyprexa—17 pounds. You’d be hard pressed to gain that kind of weight sport-eating your way through the holidays.One in 145 adults died in clinical trials of those taking the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa.
This was Lilly’s #1 product $5 billion per year sales,moreover Lilly also make billions more on drugs that treat diabetes.
— Daniel Haszard Zyprexa activist and patient.