The AGS ensures that the following decisions are made free of the control of a commercial interest. The ACCME defines a "commercial interest" as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.
- Identification of CME Needs;
- Determination of educational objectives;
- Selection and presentation of content;
- Selection of all persons and organizations that will be in a position to control the content of the CME;
- Selection of educational methods;
- Evaluation of the activity.
The AGS CME department supports this policy by ensuring that all content development is free from commercial bias. The planning process for educational activities is the responsibility of the specific Planning Committee which is selected by the AGS, and is overseen by the Professional Education Executive Committee. All decision making lies with the AGS planning committees including the following processes:
- Identification of needs;
- Selection of faculty;
- Selection of Course Chair/Planning Committee
- Selection of Objectives and Content
- Selection of Methods and Evaluation
All decision making ultimately lies with the AGS. A commercial interest cannot take the role of non-accredited partner in a joint sponsorship relationship.