BOC Approved Provider Maintenance Requirements Effective January 2018 page 2 Part 1 - Requirements to be a BOC Approved Provider Part 2 - Standards for BOC Approved Providers Introduction Administration Business Practices Content Development and Instruction Assessment Evaluation and Review Glossary Part 3 - Applying AP Standards to Your Program What is an Athletic Trainer? AP Standard 1 AP Standard 2 AP Standards 3-6 Program Development Program Implementation Part 4 - BOC Approved Provider Non-Compliance Policies and Procedures Table Of Contents Table of Contents - BOC Approved Provider Maintenance Requirements page 3 PART 1 Requirements to be a BOC Approved Provider Whether you offer live events, home study or both, compliance with the following are required to maintain an active BOC Approved Provider status. Standards for BOC Approved Providers Continuing Education Unit Assignment Policy Athletic Trainer Audience Policy Program Directory Policy Annual Renewal PART 1 - Requirements to be a BOC Approved Provider page 4 Standards for BOC Approved Providers BOC Approved Providers and continuing education (CE) programs must align with the Standards for BOC Approved Providers. The Standards are available on Athletic Trainer Audience Policy The target audience must include Athletic Trainers (ATs) as sole credential holders. Programs must be intended for the credentialed healthcare and/or wellness provider. Programs with other credentialed healthcare participants are acceptable to create common knowledge across disciplines and promote interdisciplinary education, but cannot require ATs to be credentialed as a physician assistant, physical therapist, chiropractor, etc. to attend CE programs. Programs targeted at non-credentialed fitness or wellness professionals and lay persons – such as patients, parents, coaches, administrators or educators – do not meet BOC requirements. Continuing Education Unit Assignment Policy The BOC uses the term “continuing education units” or “CEUs” to define program credits. CEUs are based on contact hours. A contact hour is the time actually spent in the educational portion of the program. One contact hour equals 1 CEU. The number of CEUs that can be offered for each Category A program will be determined by the BOC Approved Provider and the BOC will assign CEUs for EBP programs. Please see Program Directory Policy BOC Approved Providers are required offered to ATs into the Program Directory. Programs include all live events, webinars and home study programs that meet the Standards and CE eligibility requirements for ATs. Providers offering employee-only events are able to identify the program as such. Program information must be provided through your online BOC Approved Provider profile a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the event start date. Annual Renewal Providers must renew annually to maintain their elite BOC Approved Provider status and continue to provide Category A or EBP programs to ATs. Renewal consists of an Annual Renewal Fee and Annual Report. The Annual Renewal Fee is due by December 31 of each year, and the Annual Report must be submitted by March 31 of the following year. The Annual Report will consist of program outcomes offered to Athletic Trainers during the previous year. Failure to comply with the BOC Approved Provider Maintenance Requirements will result in expiration of your BOC Approved Provider status. The BOC Approved Provider Non-Compliance Policies and Procedures on PART 1 - Requirements to be a BOC Approved Provider page 5 Continuing education and professional development providers (“providers”) and their activities/courses/ programs (“programs”) must align with the Standards for BOC Approved Providers (“Standards”) and the BOC Approved Provider Maintenance Requirements. Each Standard defines the required responsibilities of BOC Approved Providers. Administration 1.1Establish processes for developing, administering and documenting programs. 1.1.1Maintain compliance with the Standards outlined in this document. It is the responsibility of the provider to demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with the Standards through written documentation. 1.1.2Incorporate programs that promote the use of current, valid and/or evidence based practices. 1.1.3Identify and provide a supportive learning environment with the physical, technical and educational materials necessary to support the program. 1.1.4Maintain documentation of the processes used to develop, administer, deliver, conduct and assess the program and participants. 1.1.5Maintain cumulative records with appropriate security for a period of 5 years. 1.2Develop co-sponsor agreements that clearly define the working relationship between parties. This includes documentation of the completion and provision of various tasks, ensuring that the programs of both parties are in compliance with the Standards. 1.3Ensure that commercial support does not interfere with the independence and objectivity of program faculty. 1.3.1Providers and program faculty must adhere to the standards for declaring conflicts of interest as defined in Standard 2.5. 1.3.2The purpose of a program cannot be the promotion of goods and services to the participants. 1.3.3Content determined as sales oriented (i.e., designed to “sell” or “promote” particular services or products or “product-specific narrative”) shall be excluded in the determination of contact minutes/hours. 1.4Document ownership of the copyright, license or permission for the use of any protected materials used within a program. 1.5Document changes in administrator/primary contact for programming and ensure that the new administrator/primary contact understands and is in compliance with the Standards. Introduction 1 Standard Version 2.1 - Published November 2017 Implemented January 2018 PART 2 Standards for BOC Approved Providers PART 2 - Standards for BOC Approved Providers page 6 1.6Provide sufficient information to allow prospective participants to judge the value and appropriateness of the program (e.g., abstract, learning objectives, intended level of audience (i.e., essential, advanced, mastery)). 1.7Provide each learner, in a timely fashion, with a statement of credit upon successful completion of the program. 1.8Provide evidence (e.g. curriculum vitae, bio) that program faculty chosen to lead programs are qualified by education and/or experience to provide instruction in the relevant subject matter as defined in Standard 4. 1.9Ensure that financial resources are available to sustain the programs undertaken. For example, resources should be available for continued program improvement and for secure maintenance of program records. Business Practices 2.1Providers are guided by the following principles of professional conduct as they interact with Athletic Trainers (ATs). Providers will: 2.1.1Adhere to all standards and guidelines as described by the BOC. 2.1.2Maintain the integrity and copyright of all proprietary BOC documents and materials. 2.1.3Be truthful in statements to the BOC, ATs and the public. 2.1.4Comply with all applicable business, employment and copyright laws. 2.1.5Provide equal and fair treatment to all program participants. 2.1.6Comply with the BOC audit system. 2.1.7Uphold and enhance public appreciation and trust for the profession of athletic training. 2.1.8Maintain the confidentiality of all participant information. 2.2Use language that does not show personal or professional bias or cultural insensitivity. 2.3Ensure that programs are available and accessible to all appropriate participants. Further, providers shall ensure no unlawful discrimination is associated with programming or related programs. 2.4Ensure that copyright permission of materials used by program developers, program faculty or others are identified on all program materials, including audio-visual and program related materials. 2.5Make public potential and actual conflicts of interest and financial gain associated with any programs, program faculty or providers. Disclosure of potential conflict for program sponsors must also be addressed. This includes, at a minimum, identifying any and all sponsors in printed program materials. 2.6If a fee is charged for programs, a policy must address cancellations and refunds. This policy shall be clearly indicated to potential participants. Content 3.1Identify the professional practice gap and/or educational need the content addresses. 3.2Utilize educational methods that are appropriate to the: 3.2.1Stated objectives for the program. 3.2.2Characteristics or composition (especially skill level) of the intended audience. 3.2.3Facilities and instructional medium (e.g., video, lecture) used for the program. 2 PART 2 - Standards for BOC Approved Providers 3 Standard Standard page 7 3.3For participation programs (beyond 30% of program time) group size must be considered appropriate to ensure adequate interaction with program faculty. 3.4Structure each program for the transfer of knowledge, application and/or practice based needs of the AT. Content must be based on evidence that is generally accepted by healthcare professionals. Examples of types of program structures may include any of the following: 3.4.1Knowledge based : Participants gain factual knowledge. 3.4.2Activity based : Participants apply information learned in the time frame allotted. 3.4.3Practice based : Participants systematically acquire specific knowledge, skills, attitudes and performance behaviors that expand or enhance practice competencies. 3.5Develop program outcomes, as well as learning objectives that define the knowledge and/or skills the AT is expected to acquire through the completion of the program. Development and Instruction 4.1Program developers must: 4.1.1Be knowledgeable of the domains of athletic training. Credit shall not be awarded for educational programs that 1) do not fall into one of these domains or 2) are presented below the level of an entry level Certified Athletic Trainer. 4.1.2Ensure that the facilities are appropriate for proposed educational programs and that the proposed educational programs meet the learning objectives of the program. 4.1.3Obtain a curriculum vitae that highlights pertinent information on a program faculty’s education and professional training, as well as work, publication and presentation history. This record must be pro- duced for any audit conducted by or on behalf of the BOC. 4.1.4Offer educational materials for each program that will enhance participant understanding of the content and foster application to clinical practice. 4.1.5Notify potential enrollees of any required materials and equipment, and provide specific descriptions of each. 4.1.6Develop clearly-defined policies on honoraria and expense reimbursement for program faculty. 4.2Program faculty: 4.2.1Must have documented experience, education and/or training to allow attendees to meet the learning objectives. 4.2.2Should be selected based upon their knowledge of the subject matter; experience and teaching ability; and ability to meet the educational needs of the AT. Assessment 5.1Each learning objective (see Standard 3) must have an appropriate, corresponding strategy for assessment of learning. 5.1.1The strategy must be content-oriented and must provide feedback to participants so that they can assess their mastery of the material. 5.2The provider must develop and use assessment strategies that: 5.2.1Are appropriate to the chosen objectives and educational methods. 5.2.2Measure the extent to which program objectives have been accomplished. 4 PART 2 - Standards for BOC Approved Providers 5 Standard Standard page 8 5.3The provider must use formal techniques for assessment of learning. 5.3.1Formal techniques, such as tests and quizzes, and self-reports are typically individualized, written and assessed. Formal data synthesis will be required to complete the annual report. 5.4The provider shall give feedback about the assessment to the participant in an appropriate, timely and constructive manner. Evaluation and Review 6.1Evaluation of the program. 6.1.1Providers must develop and conduct evaluations of each program. 6.1.2Feedback from participants should be provided on the following areas: 6.1.2.1 Applicability of program to meet educational needs. 6.1.2.1.1 Program content was practically useful, comprehensive, appropriate and adequately in-depth. 6.1.2.2 Achievement of stated objectives. 6.1.2.3 Effectiveness of teaching and learning methods. 6.1.2.4 Quality and effectiveness of program faculty. 6.1.2.5 Usefulness of educational materials. 6.1.2.6 Appropriateness of learning assessment programs. 6.1.2.7 Perception of bias or commercialism. 6.2Review of the program. 6.2.1Data collected is thoroughly evaluated and used to make improvements in future presentations. 6.2.2Program faculty are informed of feedback to help improve teaching and learning methods as well as quality and effectiveness of presentations. 6.2.3An independent or internal review shall be conducted no less than annually to determine the effectiveness of the program. The review should evaluate: 6.2.3.1 Achievement of the overall goals of the program. 6.2.3.2 The extent to which the evaluation effectively and appropriately assesses: 6.2.3.2.1 Educational objectives. 6.2.3.2.2 Quality of the instruction process. 6.2.3.2.3 Participants’ perception of enhanced professional effectiveness. 6.2.3.3 Appropriateness of evaluation methods and consistency with the scope of the program. 6 PART 2 - Standards for BOC Approved Providers Standard page 9 Glossary Assessment (learning) - A tool that allows the participant to demonstrate or confirm his or her learning relative to stated program objectives. In addition, assessment allows participants to explain how they plan to incorporate the new skill and/or knowledge into their clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. Conflict of Interest - A situation in which social, professional, or financial considerations have the potential to compromise or bias objectivity. An apparent conflict of interest is one in which a reasonable person would think that the provider’s objectivity is likely to be compromised. A conflict of interest exists whether or not decisions are affected by a personal interest; a conflict of interest implies only the potential for bias, not a likelihood. Copyright - Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Visit for more information. Domains of Athletic Training - There are 5 domains of athletic training. The content of each program must fall within at least one of these content areas: 1. Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion 2. Examination, Assessment and Diagnosis 3. Immediate and Emergency Care 4. Therapeutic Intervention 5. Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility Educational Need - The education or learning necessary to address the professional practice gap to enhance knowledge and skills. Evaluation (program) - An appraisal tool that allows the participant to provide program feedback to help the provider determine the effectiveness of a program and/or the administration of a program. Evidence Based Practice - The most common definition of EBP is taken from Dr. David Sackett, a pioneer in evidence based practice. EBP is “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research.” EBP is the integration of clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision making process for patient care. Participation Programs - A program that requires active participation by the attendee, such as a hands-on workshop or a learning lab. Professional Practice Gap - The difference between healthcare processes or outcomes observed in practice, and those potentially achievable on the basis of current professional knowledge know that this program will provide them? What is the patient’s unmet need? Program Faculty - Refers to the instructor, presenter, evaluators or author of a program/activity. PART 2 - Standards for BOC Approved ProvidersNext >