The 2017 ACCME Annual Report data, released on July 13, 2017 shows growth in both physician and non-physician participants at activities, while total CME income increased by 6% from 2016 numbers. Three-year trend data shows that since 2015, the number of physician participants at CME activities has increased by 9% while the number of non-physician participants increased by 10%.

Beginning in 2015, the category of Income from Other Sources was eliminated and replaced with three specific categories: Registration Fees, Government Grants, and Private Donations. Allocations from parent organizations or other internal departments are no longer included in income reporting. Providers are also no longer required to submit information regarding CME program expenses.

To read the official report and analysis from the ACCME, please follow this link. 

2017 Highlights
 

• Total combined physician and non-physician learner interactions at CME activities increased by 4% from 2016 numbers.
• Total commercial support contributions rose by 5% to an estimated $740 million.
• Income from advertising and exhibits rose from $411 million in 2016 to $434 million in 2016, a 5 % increase.
• Commercially supported activities averaged 171 learners per activity in 2017, while non-commercially supported activities averaged 160 learners per activity, a slight increase in interactions per learner group.
• Of the total attendance at CME activities, 55% of attendees (15,601,498) were physicians and 45%  (12,886,339) were non-physicians.
• Publishing/Education companies secured approximately 52% ($384,174,646) of the total commercial support income earned by ACCME accredited providers in 2017

Global's detailed analysis of the 2017 ACCME Annual Report is available to download by requesting a PDF copy on our CME research page. If you have any questions about the ACCME report or Global's analysis, please contact us here.