MSNJ Weighs in on End-of-Life CME Requirement

In a meeting on December 7, the Board of Trustees of MSNJ considered the recommendation of the Revolving Reference Committee that it adopt a resolution that would require MSNJ to seek legislation to limit the end-of -life continuing medical educational requirement to a one-time two credit event. The law currently requires two credits of CME on end-of-life at each biennial license renewal. The Board voted to adopt the resolution which was brought forward by Union County and joined by 6 other counties.

In comments to the Board of Medical Examiners on December 5, MSNJ urged the BME to exercise its authority to allow the credits to be in either Category 1 or 2. MSNJ further urged the BME to convene the medical education advisory committee, on which MSNJ has a member, to consider the comments filed and how to best implement the statutory requirements. Finally, MSNJ encouraged the BME to carefully consider applications for waivers from the CME requirement since there are many licensed physicians in New Jersey who do not have patient contact or would not be in a position to either treat at end-of-life or counsel on end-of-life choices.