Life-long Learning Program - Kuwait Institute for Medical ...

MPC PROGRAM IN KUWAIT
Professional development and life-long learning were accepted as a
national health project by the Ministry of Health, Kuwait in 1999. Although
establishing a structured continuing medical education (CME) scheme
has been a goal long aspired to in the country, it became a reality after
the Ministry of Health entrusted the Kuwait Institute for Medical
Specialization (KIMS) with the responsibility of implementing an
appropriate program. The Maintenance of Professional Competence
Program (MPC Program), introduced in September 2000, completed
its first cycle in December 2006.
This national project of life-long learning is aimed at ensuring the
competency of the practitioner and the safety of the community. These
involve all practitioners having to undertake and show evidence of lifelong
learning and all those responsible for patient care being required
to provide their own personal learning plans.
We are proud of the achievements that we have made at this stage of
completing the first 5-year cycle. All practitioners now have to register
in the MPC Program, participate in accredited CME activities and show
evidence of life-long learning. We are pleased that discussions on the
reform of undergraduate medical curriculum have led to the concepts
of adult learning and life-long learning receiving due emphasis, getting
incorporated into the teaching program of the medical school in Kuwait.
The MPC Program has achieved international accreditation. It is
substantively recognized by the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicans
of Canada, being among the few programs that have been so accredited.
This publication is a record of the planning and implementation of the
life-long learning program. As locally available resources were utilized,
the costs incurred in establishing the program were minimal. We
appreciate the support we received from CME Providers, CME organizers
and the practitioners, which contributed to the success of the Program.
K.F. Al-Jarallah
FRCPC, FACP, FACR, FRCP
Secretary General
Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization
I.G. Premadasa
BDS (Cey.), MA (Mich. State)
Director
CME Center, Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization
Published by
Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization, 10 th Floor, Behbehani Complex, Al-Sharq, P.O. Box 1793, Kuwait 13018.
© 2007 Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization.

PLANNING PHASE OF
LIFE-LONG LEARNING PROGRAM
The Ministerial Decree issued in 1999 directed that a Committee for planning CME
for medical practitioners be constituted.
The Planning Committee, subsequently constituted, studied a
range of models of CME/CPD, including those established by
international professional bodies and in operation in North
America, Europe and Australasia. It collected resources so that
the proposed program would match the aims of the mandate
for life-long learning needs of the community and the facilities
available in Kuwait.
The establishment of a CME Center, with full-time staff and a
Director for administering and supervising a CME program, was
proposed. The committee also suggested that the scheme should
rely on an independent structure and utilize information technology (IT) in its
implementation. It was further proposed that there should be a publicity phase so
that practitioners become aware of the proposed program and the role of CME
in health profesions practice.

PUBLICITY PHASE OF
LIFE-LONG LEARNING PROGRAM
The scheme of CME (continuing medical education) in operation in Kuwait is called
the MPC Program. MPC stands for maintenance of professional competence, to
refer to the overall goal of all CME/CPD activities.
During the first five-year cycle practitioners in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy
registered in the MPC Program. A total of 7433 health professions practitioners,
which includes 5690 in Medicine, 1114 in Dentistry, and 629 in Pharmacy, have
registered until end of 2006.
The CME Center conducted several
orientation programs (in 2000 and 2001)
and a number of workshops and seminars
to familarize practitioners with the essential
aspects of the program for life-long learning.
The themes presented included topics on
which CME/CPD activities were being
organized, the procedure of accreditation of proposed
activities, the scheme of calculation of credit, and the
maintenance of documentation by participants regarding
their CME status.
The CME Center published guidelines for the benefit of
practitioners and organizers of CME activities. These
documents were issued on a yearly basis.
Details of the program were also published online to respond
to queries that would frequently be asked.
A network between the CME Center and the different
specialties in medicine was established with the designation
of CME/CPD Officers for all disciplines. Practitioners in each
discipline of medicine received orientation to life-long learning
through their own CME/CPD Officers.

LIFE-LONG LEARNING IN PRACTICE
Information technology (IT) was introduced early in the implementation of
the MPC Program for communication between practitioners and the CME
Center and in the administrative procedures at the CME Center.
Practitioners register in the MPC Progam online (www.kims.org.kw/cme).
First-time registration as well as updating of registration data may be
undertaken through this channel.
Accreditation of CME/CPD Providers
The scheme of accreditation introduced by the CME Center for proposed
CME/CPD activities provided a structure, helping to improve their quality.
This move additionally helps CME/CPD Organizers to become aware of the
educational and organizational aspects that need to be followed when
planning life-long activities. Academic or scientific institutions and professional
societies were accredited as CME/CPD Providers.
Close to 4000 activities have been accredited under the MPC program so
far. On conclusion of the activities, all organizers are required to provide
written reports pertaining to the effectiveness of the CME activities, based
on feedback from the participants and the resource persons.

ACCREDITATION BY
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
The MPC Program is substantively recognized by The
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Practitioners who hold a Fellowship of the Royal College
in Canada and are practicing in Kuwait have the option
of participating in the MPC Program in lieu of the
RCPSC’s MOC Program under the terms stipulated by RCPSC.
The Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists, UK has endorsed the MPC Program
as suitable for its members within Kuwait. Members and Fellows of
the Royal College practicing in Kuwait may participate in the MPC
Program and submit credit points gained for satisfying the requirements of the
Continuing Professional Development Program of the Royal College.
DEVELOPMENT OF MPC PROGRAM
Steps had been introduced to develop and expand the MPC Program since its
launch in 2000. While medical, dental and
pharmacy practitioners are registered in
the MPC Program, online resources on
life-long learning have been provided. For
the benefit of nurses the CME Center
website as well as the publication Online
Learning has sections that list continuing
education web sites of special interest to
nurses.
NURSING
The CME Center has provided a consultative service to all member countries of
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

LINKING PRACTICE TO LIFE-LONG LEARNING
The Ministry of Health decree issued in 2002 linked life-long learning to
practice in the heath professions. Accordingly, all practitioners employed by
the Ministry who were due for promotion were
required to show evidence of active
involvement of life-long learning and
participation in accredited CME activities.
A similar decree of the Ministry of Health
required practitioners in the private sector to
show evidence of life-long learning for renewal
of license to practice.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Bulletin of the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization
The journal Bulletin of the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization
launched in 2002 aimed at supporting the CME scheme. It had
postgraduate medical education, continuing medical education
and clinical practice as its themes. The publication was the first
of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region dealing with life-long learning
and medical education.
CME in Clinical Practice
The CME articles that appeared in the Bulletin of the Kuwait
Institute for Medical Specialization were re-issued as a compendium
under the title CME in Clinical Practice.
Portfolio of CME Participation
To facilitate the organized documentation of the involvement in
life-long learning, a CME Portofolio was made available. Review
of documentation by the CME Center is an essential component
of the verification of participation in CME.
Online Learning Resources
All CME Center publications had been posted online
(www.kims.org.kw/cme).

APPRAISAL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Regular evaluations of the MPC Program were conducted by WHO consultants
invited by KIMS. Appraisal of the program was also conducted by other
internationally recognized experts in medical education.
The evaluation reports indicated that the essential features of the MPC
Program matched those of comparable programs that were in operation in
other countries.
CME CENTER AND RESEARCH
The CME Center has conducted numerous research studies on life-long
learning, and presented the findings in local, regional and international
medical education conferences. A survey of the opinions of practitioners on
the effectiveness and the different aspects of the MPC Program was also
conducted. The feedback from the practitioners showed evidence of benefit
and changes in their current practices after involvement in CME/CPD activities..
CME Program in Kuwait:
two years in progress

MAINTENANCE OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
CERTIFICATE
The CME Center issues an MPC Certificate at the end of the five-year cycle to
certify satisfactory completion of CME/CPD. Practitioners who have acquired the
specified total of credits are entitled to receive the MPC Certificate.
In addition to the MPC Certificate, the CME Center issues a CME/CPD Status
Certificate to certify the current CME/CPD status of the practitioner.
Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization
Maintenance of Professional Competence Certificate
This is to certify that
Dr. Mohamed Ali Hussein
has successfully completed the
Maintenance of Professional Competence Cycle
2000 to 2006.
Secretary Genenal
Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization
Director
CME Center
The CME Center has conducted random surveys of the practitioners to verify that
the CME credits submitted were in accordance with the recommended guidelines.

CME IN GCC COUNTRIES
At the 50 th GCC Health Ministers’ Meeting held in 2001 it was decided to explore
how schemes for life-long learning by health professionals in all GCC countries
could be designed, as was done with the MPC Program in Kuwait. At this meeting
Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah, Secretary General, KIMS had outlined the organizational
structure and the accreditation procedure for CME activities in the life-long learning
program in operation in Kuwait. The importance of a joint GCC Committee to
coordinate the planning and implementation of life-long learning programs was
a point highlighted.
The GCC Secretariat subsequently
established a Permanent Committee on
CME to initiate and coordinate action
related to continuing medical education
in the GCC countries.
CME Center as a Regional Consultation Center
The CME Center of KIMS, with the recognized standards of its programs and its
accreditation by international professional bodies, has evolved into a regional
consultation center for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Its services
have been obtained by the member countries with respect to planning and
administering their own CME programs and CME Centers.

MANAGEMENT TEAM OF MPC PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATION
Dr. K.F. Al-Jarallah
Dr. I.G. Premadasa
CME CENTER STAFF
Ms. Theresa Franco
Ms. Nihad Al-Mutawa
Ms. Fathima Sharfudeen
CME/CPD OFFICERS
Anesthesia
Dr. Mohammed Jassem Al-Khashti
Dermatology
Dr. Nawaf Al-Mutairi
ENT
Dr. Khalid A. Al Abdulhadi
Internal Medicine
Dr. Afaf Al-Adsani
Laboratory Medicine
Dr. J.T. Anim
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Eyad Al-Saleh
Pediatrics
Dr. Khaled Hussein Al-Sarraf
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dr. Diaa Shehab
Primary Health Care
Dr. Abeer Al-Baho
Psychological Medicine
Dr. Abdulla Goloum
Public Health
Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti
Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
Dr. Adel A. Al-Ali
Surgery
Dr. Adel Khader Ayed
Dentistry
Dr. Essam Zaatar
Pharmacy
Dr. Ahmed Al-Duaij