QUALIFIED CONTENT DEVELOPER POLICY

Purpose:

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure MAPS’ reputation as the premier professional development organization for Medical Affairs professionals by ensuring that the quality, experience, academic training, and professional credentials of subject matter experts who create and/or present content is at the highest level.

Policy:

Instructor/Content Developer qualifications are determined/reviewed by the Professional Development Committee (PDC).

Ideally, a MAPS continuing education instructor/content developer will have:

1. A bachelor’s degree, or its international equivalent – and
2. An advanced academic degree (e.g., Master’s, MD, PharmD, PhD or international equivalent) – and
3. At least 6 years of experience in the subject area

All content developers must submit a current resume or LinkedIn bio to MAPS staff prior to being approved for participation.

Responsibilities:

1. The Director L & D will:

• • Through active promotion of this policy, regularly review the leadership and commitment given to ensuring that the subject matter experts who develop and/or present content are of the highest level.
  • Ensure that the organization’s practices and processes incorporate precautions against infractions of policy.
  • Monitor performance by way of periodic review of staff reports and evaluations.
  • Review, as appropriate, on the effectiveness of the management systems established to ensure compliance with the policy.
  • Analyze material breaches and identified compliance system weaknesses for systematic trends and ensure that any adverse trends are addressed.
  • Promote a culture of effective policy compliance across the organization.

2. All MAPS staff, volunteers, educational content developers/planners and instructors at all levels will:

• • Ensure that they are aware of this policy and agree to adherence of this policy.
  • Review the background/subject matter expertise of recommended content developers/speakers to ensure that the minimum criteria has been met.
  • Where appropriate, suggest ways in which practices, systems and procedures could be improved to reduce the likelihood of violation of the content policy occurring.

Processes: 

The Director L & D will initially review the organization’s procedures in all areas to ensure that these are in accordance with the principles expressed in this policy and will report to the Board of Directors on this matter.

The Director L & D will review any changes to the organization’s procedures in all areas to ensure that these are in accordance with the principles expressed in this policy.

Educational content developers/planners and instructors are made aware of the policy through their Content Participation Agreement, and through a discussion of this and all relevant policies during the kickoff call.  Everyone involved in the development of course content and all MAPS staff are required to accept compliance with the policy via the Content Participant Agreement /via email confirmation acknowledgement.

This policy, as well as all other applicable policies, is provided to learners via a link to the policy posted on MAPS website.

MAPS staff are trained on this policy through an email notice and subsequent in-service to discuss adherence.

Non-compliance:

Any notice of non-compliance with the policy will be immediately reviewed by the CE/T Planner and Director of L&D. If a content developer/presenter is deemed to not be in compliance with the policy regarding misrepresentation of their professional experience, credentials, or academic record, they will be advised of the infraction, and will be immediately removed from the content development/presentation and from any working group or team responsible for content and barred from participating in any current and future MAPS content development and/or presentation.