BALTIMORE, Md.–February 9, 2010–Med-IQ, an ACCME-accredited provider of continuing medical education (CME), announces the launch of a complimentary, certified, 20-credit performance improvement (PI) CME initiative, Performance Improvement Strategies in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), provided in collaboration with Oncology Today™, the CME subsidiary of US Oncology.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2009, an estimated 219,000 Americans were diagnosed with lung cancer, and approximately 85% of these cases were of the non-small cell variety.

“Accurate staging and characterization of histologic subtypes are critical components of optimal treatment decisions for patients with NSCLC,” says Robert M. Jotte, MD, PhD, Developmental Co-Chair of the US Oncology Lung Committee and faculty expert for Performance Improvement Strategies in NSCLC. “Participants of this performance improvement activity will discover the latest advances in lung cancer staging systems and evidence-based treatment strategies, as well as learn to implement guideline-approved processes of care for patients with NSCLC.”

Performance Improvement Strategies in NSCLC is an American Medical Association (AMA)-standardized, 3-stage initiative designed to help oncologists evaluate their clinical processes according to national standards of care and recent trial data regarding the management of NSCLC, with the ultimate goal of improving practice performance and optimizing patient outcomes.

PI CME has been recognized as an important component of a physician’s continuing professional development and may answer multiple credentialing and reporting needs. Clinicians can use data from this PI CME series to complete ABIM's Self-Directed PIM and earn credit for ABIM Maintenance of Certification.

Participation is simple. Healthcare professionals who complete the below stages in succession will earn 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each stage can be completed online or with the help of the Med-IQ concierge team, which is available to explain the initiative and provide tips to make the process more convenient.

STAGE A: Assess   Self-assess by comparing your current NSCLC practice with national benchmarks, clinical evidence, and data submitted by your peers.

STAGE B: Apply   Develop and follow your own plan for sustained improvement in NSCLC patient care.

STAGE C: Evaluate   Reevaluate your processes for NSCLC care by comparing your past performance with your current performance in implementing guideline-based NSCLC management strategies.

Additional NSCLC educational resources are available, including a certified, practical implementation guide featuring National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) treatment guidelines, and two live Community of Practice audioconferences with faculty experts and fellow specialists. Participants can claim credits on-demand at www.pi-iq.com/lungcancer.

This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category I Credit™ and is supported by an educational grant from Lilly USA, LLC.

About Oncology Today™

Oncology Today™, a wholly owned subsidiary of US Oncology, Inc., is a medical education company dedicated to identifying and serving the educational needs of community-based oncology healthcare professionals. As an expert in the development and delivery of community oncology educational programs, Oncology Today’s primary focus is to effectively translate the latest oncology data into practical information.

About Med-IQ

Med-IQ, America's most respected continuing medical education (CME) company, is an accredited provider of CME that educates and inspires healthcare professionals through programs that deliver sophisticated outcomes-based educational designs with measurable results in professional competence and performance. Med-IQ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing medical education to physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, respectively. We are a leader in the development of performance improvement (PI) and quality improvement (QI) CME initiatives. To learn more about us, visit www.Med-IQ.com.

For more information, contact:

Catherine B. Mullaney, MHA
Vice President, Audience Development
and Educational Outcomes
Med-IQ
443 543 5154
info@med-iq.com

Provided in collaboration with Oncology Today™.