Journal-based CME Course: How Should Clinicians and Researchers in Government Respond to Threats to Their Offices?

Activity ID

10716

Expires

March 1, 2026

Format Type

Journal-based

CME Credit

Fee

$30

CME Provider: AMA Journal of Ethics

Description of CME Course

During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinician policy makers have faced unprecedented challenges. This commentary responds to a fictional case of a clinician policy maker who heads the Office of the Surgeon General and must ponder the answers to these questions: (1) What does it mean for a clinician or researcher to responsibly hold government office? (2) When good governance is thwarted by apathy about facts and cultural sympathy with false information, how much personal peril should government clinicians and researchers be expected to endure to maintain and model allegiance to evidence as a basis of public policy? (3) How should government clinicians navigate legislative, regulatory, or jurisprudential curtailment of their authority or roles in promoting public health and safety?

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

ABMS Member Board Approvals by Type

ABMS Lifelong Learning CME Activity

Allergy and Immunology

Anesthesiology

Colon and Rectal Surgery

Family Medicine

Medical Genetics and Genomics

Nuclear Medicine

Ophthalmology

Orthopaedic Surgery

Pathology

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Plastic Surgery

Preventive Medicine

Psychiatry and Neurology

Radiology

Thoracic Surgery

Urology

More Information

Commercial Support?

NOTE: If a Member Board has not deemed this activity for MOC approval as an accredited CME activity, this activity may count toward an ABMS Member Board’s general CME requirement. Please refer directly to your Member Board’s MOC Part II Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment Program Requirements.

General Information on CME Activity

Educational Objectives

1. Explain a new or unfamiliar viewpoint on a topic of ethical or professional conduct
2. Evaluate the usefulness of this information for health care practice, teaching, or conduct
3. Decide whether and when to apply the new information to health care practice, teaching, or conduct

Keywords

Ethics, Health Policy, Surgery, Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Competencies

Medical Knowledge, Professionalism

CME Credit Type

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

DOI

10.1001/amajethics.2023.172