May 2003

Certified continuing education nearing availability

ORLANDO, FLA — Dentists have it. So do pharmacists, accountants, optometrists, opticians, veterinarians and nurses, among others. And after four years of discussion, chiropractic is closer to having it. The “it” is a voluntary, centralized process to approve continuing education programs.

The process proposed by the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards is known as PACE æ Providers of Approved Continuing Education. The program has been developed by the FCLB and is now in the hands of the individual regulatory boards, waiting for their acceptance.

“Most professions have continuing education approvals,” said Dr. Laurel Cowie, chairperson of the committee that has been developing the PACE program. “Over the years, our ideas and goals have not changed, but input from others has changed the structure to deliver the program,” she explained.

Although PACE is primarily directed toward providers of continuing education and state regulatory agencies, Cowie told a workshop of interested parties at the FCLB’s annual conference in Orlando, it affects several shareholders and “is a ‘win-win-win-win-win’ situation. Doctors of chiropractic, patients, regulatory boards, providers, professional associations and the profession in general all win with PACE.”

According to PACE policies and procedures, the primary goal of the program, as it affects doctors of chiropractic, is “to provide doctors of chiropractic with a dependable basis for selecting approved continuing education experiences.”

PACE providers will be able to advertise their approved programs with a “seal of approval” æ a PACE logo that will appear in the left-hand corner of any marketing materials the provider uses to promote the continuing education program. The seal certifies that the program has passed the scrutiny of a review committee and has met PACE quality standards. Additionally, the logo signifies that the provider has agreed to comply with the PACE policies and procedures.

Another benefit to continuing-education participants is that their attendance at a PACE program will be registered in a central database. They will no longer have to submit paper to their licensing boards as proof of their continuing education, said Cowie.

Cowie and FCLB vice president Dr. Richard Cole emphasized that PACE is a voluntary program. FCLB member chiropractic regulatory boards decide to accept or recognize PACE requirements within their jurisdictions and CE providers elect to apply for PACE recognition.

More information about PACE is available at www.fclb.org, by e-mailing PACE@fclb.org or by calling 970-356-3500.

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