Welcome Course Authors and Planners

The Joint Accredited Educational Activities Planning Center serves as the central resource for Course Authors, Educational Planners, and Planning Committees responsible for developing Joint Accredited educational activities at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

The Joint Accredited Educational Activities Program supports the development of high-quality, evidence-based educational activities designed to improve professional practice, healthcare team performance, and patient outcomes. This site provides the training, tools, resources, and guidance needed to successfully plan, develop, implement, and evaluate accredited educational activities in EthosCE.

Getting Started

Complete the required Foundations of Joint Accreditation Educational Planning Course before requesting Course Author access in EthosCE. This course introduces Joint Accreditation, Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE), educational planning requirements, practice gap analysis, learning objectives, outcomes evaluation, and the use of EthosCE.

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• Foundations of JA Educational Planning Course
• Joint Accreditation Overview
• IPCE vs Non-IPCE Activities
• Course Author Roles & Responsibilities
• Planning Resources & Templates

Ready to become a Course Author?

After completing the required Foundations of Joint Accreditation Educational Planning Course, submit a Course Author Access Request to Insert link to obtain the permissions needed to create and manage your educational activity in EthosCE.

Plan an Activity

Developing a successful Joint Accredited educational activity begins with identifying a validated professional practice gap and determining the underlying educational need. During the planning process, Course Authors and Educational Planners identify the target audience, develop measurable learning objectives and desired outcomes, select appropriate educational formats and methods, and, when applicable, incorporate Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) principles and requirements. Effective planning ensures educational activities are aligned with Joint Accreditation standards and designed to improve professional practice, healthcare team performance, and patient outcomes.

Activity Types

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• Professional Practice Gap  
• Educational Need Assessment
• Learning Objectives
• Desired Outcomes
• Educational Format
• IPCE Planning Guidance

Planning Team and Faculty

Identify and manage the individuals involved in planning and delivering the educational activity.

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• Planner Requirements
• Faculty Requirements
• Planning Committee Guidance
• Faculty Disclosure Forms
• Planner Disclosure Forms
• Faculty Biography Templates

Disclosures and Compliance

Complete all accreditation and compliance requirements before activity approval.

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• Financial Relationship Disclosure Forms
• Conflict of Interest Mitigation Process
• Commercial Support Requests
• Sponsor Guidance
• Accreditation Statements
• Accreditation Statement Templates
• Credit Designation Templates
• Disclosure Language Templates

Build Your Activity in EthosCE

Create and configure your educational activity within EthosCE and submit required documentation for review and approval.

Approval Timelines

• Submit applications at least X weeks before the planned activity date.
• Educational activities requiring IPCE designation, commercial support, or extensive review may require additional review time.
• Incomplete applications may delay approval.
• Activity approval is required before promotion, registration, or activity delivery.

Marketing and Promotional Materials

All promotional materials must be reviewed and approved by the JA Educational Activities Team prior to distribution. Promotional materials must comply with Joint Accreditation requirements and include appropriate accreditation, credit, disclosure, and registration information.

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• Flyer Template
• Promotional Material Guidelines
• Accreditation Statement Guidelines
• Credit Designation Statements
• Marketing Review Request Form
• CE Promotion Approval Process

Registration Fees and Payments

Determine whether registration fees will be charged and ensure appropriate approval, financial management, and learner communications are in place prior to opening registration.

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• Fee-Based Activity Guidelines
• Registration Fee Approval Process
• EthosCE Payment Setup
• Refund & Cancellation Policy
• Discount Codes & Promotional Pricing
• Invoice & Payment Procedures
• Registration Reporting
• Financial Reconciliation Process

Evaluate Outcomes

Measure and evaluate the impact of your educational activity on learner knowledge, competence, performance, healthcare team performance, and patient outcomes.

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• Knowledge Outcomes
• Competence Outcomes
• Performance Outcomes
• Team Performance Outcomes
• Patient Outcomes
• Reporting Tools

Resources and Support

Access educational planning tools, templates, guides, and support resources.

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• Planning Templates
• Learning Objective Examples
• Activity Planning Guides
• RSS Resources
• FAQs
• Contact the JA Educational Activities Team

Educational Activity Review & Approval Timelines

To ensure adequate time for accreditation review, revisions, and approval, educational activity applications should be submitted according to the timelines below.