FM CME ASSESSORS BOARD (2024-2027)

Core FM CME Defined

Under the new Continuing Medical Education (CME) system, the Singapore Medical Council introduced the concept of core CME for Family Physicians. The College subsequently developed a five-criteria operational definition, published in the January–March 2002 issue of Singapore Family Physician and reproduced below.

Operational definition of Core CME

Core CME is defined as CME that fulfils all five of the following requirements:

1. It has scientific and clinical content with a direct bearing on patient care.
2. It has a direct bearing on family physicians’ ability to deliver patient care, including (but not limited to) laboratory investigations, practice management, and quality assurance.
3. It demonstrates high educational, ethical, and medical standards, is based on proven theory and techniques, and is generally accepted by the medical community.
4. It involves active input and/or participation by family physicians designated by the College of Family Physicians Singapore (CFPS) in the planning, organisation, and/or delivery of the programme.
5. It is organised, co-organised, or endorsed by the CFPS as a core CME programme.

Simplified criteria for FM CME Advisor work

For the purposes of FM CME Advisor work, the criteria have been simplified. Core CME is defined as a CME activity that fulfils the following:

• It is relevant to the work of the family physician in the context of primary, personal, comprehensive, and continuing care.
• It supports the knowledge and skills development of the family physician.
• It is endorsed by, or co-organised with, the College.
• It is essential to the family physician’s work in caring for patients.
• It is important to patient care.

What is not considered Core CME

The following examples may help clarify what is not considered Core CME for family physicians:

• CME on new modes of treatment, such as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). These topics may be “good to know” or “nice to know”, but are not considered “must know”.
• CME on specialised techniques not used in family practice, such as MRI techniques for imaging the cranial fossa or spine. These are similarly regarded as “good to know” rather than essential knowledge.
• CME organised by commercial entities with vested interests that rely on College endorsement or co-organisation primarily for credibility. If the speaker or content is biased towards the sponsoring organisation, the programme may not qualify as Core CME. Pharmaceutical-sponsored CME activities therefore require closer scrutiny, including written assurances and mutual agreement to minimise commercial bias.

Note to CME Coordinators

Please note the following when submitting an application for CME accreditation:

1. Ensure all sections of the application form are fully completed. Incomplete submissions will not be considered for FM Core CME accreditation. Organisers are encouraged to consult the FM CME Advisor during the planning phase of the event to discuss the programme content.
2. Provide sufficient information on the programme content to enable an accurate assessment of the event. Applications with inadequate descriptions may not be approved for FM Core CME accreditation.
3. Submit the completed application form to the College at least four weeks before the commencement of the event.
4. The FM CME Advisor must not serve as the event coordinator or speaker.

The FM CME Advisor may request additional information or a more detailed description of the programme content, where necessary, to facilitate the accreditation assessment.

The FM Matrix

The FM Matrix was developed by the College as a framework for its vocational training programmes. CME providers may use this matrix as a guide when planning educational activities, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive coverage of the syllabus over a two- to three-year CME cycle.

SMC CME System

FM Matrix