“What has a USA urologist to do to earn CME credits when participating in accredited European meetings?”

 Following a mutual agreement between the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA), European CME credits are valid credits towards the Physicians Recognition Award (PRA).

Many American delegates are required to collect CME credits to retain their licence to practice. This extension of the European system makes European organised CME events more attractive to American delegates.

 How to convert European CME credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credits

 If the CME activities are designated for EACCME credit the physicians won't have any problem.  The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Under the terms of this agreement, the AMA will convert CME credit certified by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), the accrediting arm of the UEMS, to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians (MDs, DOs or equivalent degree from another country) may have their EACCME credit converted to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ by applying to the AMA.

 In order to receive credit, the activity must appear on the list of approved activities posted in the EACCME section of the UEMS website at www.uems.net.

 To apply for conversion of EACCME credit to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ a physician will need to download the Application for EACCME Credit Conversion (available on the AMA website), and submit (1) the completed application by fax or mail along with (2) a copy of the EACCME credit certificate and (3) appropriate processing fee.  A certificate of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ will be mailed within four weeks.