In October 1972 the American Medical Association, through its Council on Medical Education, was host to representatives of 41 state medical associations and two territories at the third biennial conference on continuing medical education.
Participants took part in discussions on the pros and cons of continuing education as a requirement for membership in state medical associations. Opinion was divided on the issue about evenly, leaving the carrot and the stick in balance.
Peer review as an educational necessity was also a conference topic, and struck a more favorable response, particularly when considered as an educational needs indicator, and especially when freed from its regulatory and punitive connotation. In fact, the participants appeared in general agreement that peer review, perhaps better termed "quality of care assurance," and education, are one and the same thing.
Accreditation by state medical associations of community hospitals and other locally focused providers of continuing medical education