SAGES ACCME Compliance: Cultural and Linguistic Competency

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Essentials and Standards the following The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) policy applies to Assembly Bill 1195.

Policy: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons provides activities and/or materials (for CME activities in California) that promote culturally competent and linguistically appropriate care for patients.  Compliance with AB 1195 shall be ensured by including cultural and linguistic elements into the educational content of the activity and/or by distributing cultural and linguistic resources to CME program attendees.

Definitions:  California Assembly Bill 1195 requires continuing medical education activities with patient care components to include curriculum in the subjects of cultural and linguistic competency.

Cultural competency is defined as a set of integrated attitudes, knowledge, and skills that enables health care professionals or organizations to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities.

Linguistic competency is defined as the ability of a physician or surgeon to provide patients who do not speak English or who have limited ability to speak English, direct communication in the patient’s primary language.

Background: In September 2005 the State of California passed AB 1195 which requires all CME providers in California to include cultural and linguistic competencies in all CME activities delivered in California. While the Society has few CME activities in California, the ACCME requires that all providers based in California have a policy to ensure compliance with AB 1195.

Recommendation:  The Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons should compile a list of cultural and linguistic resources to be distributed on the SAGES website and to all CME attendees at activities delivered in California.  This will meet the minimum requirement of the ACCME.

STATEMENT APPROVED BY THE SAGES BOARD OF GOVERNORS – 4/9/08