A Brief Q&A With CME Hulk

For today’s post, I’m trying something new; I’m turning the reins over to a guest blogger. Some of you may already be following C ME Hulk on Twitter (@CMEHulk) and are familiar with his pride in earning a CCMEP, his frequent outbursts of anger, his propensity to solve all problems by smashing, and his affinity for appletinis. I find his tweets an amusing diversion from the sometimes staid and dry writings found in CME, so I asked CME Hulk if he would be willing to consider extending his writing beyond 140 characters and submit something to Confessions of a Medical Educator. He consented and opted to go with a Q&A format to better impart his CME wisdom to those most in need (A quick note to anyone who attempts to communicate directly with CME Hulk. He does NOT like to be asked “So who are you, really?” Got quite offended.)

The results are below. To be clear, these are the thoughts and opinions of CME Hulk. I do not necessarily agree with his methodology (I think you will notice a general theme as you read through), but present them to you to add to your own CME toolbox as you see fit. I think he makes some interesting points and I enjoyed reading through them (And yes, as the host of this blog I was allowed to submit one question for CME Hulk to answer. A proud moment for me.) My thanks to CME Hulk for taking time out of his busy schedule of smashing to do this and give me a bit of a break. I hope you enjoy it.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you…CME Hulk.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

I work for a medical education company in Illinois and we are preparing for our first reaccreditation under the ACCME’s new criteria. We are really hoping to get Accreditation with Commendation; any tips or advice for preparing for the interview?

Clark K. in Metropolis

CME HULK HAVE 3 TIPS. GUARANTEE GET ACCREDITATION COMMENDATION.

TIP 1: GET CCMEP. MUST HAVE FOR ACCREDITATION COMMENDATION. IS CRITERIA 27. LOOK UP.

TIP 2: IF PRESIDENT OR CEO OF COMPANY STARTS TALK, KICK UNDER TABLE. COVER UP “OW!” BY COUGH LOUDLY. THEN ANSWER QUESTION FOR THEM.

TIP 3: DO NOT THREATEN SMASH SURVEYORS IF NOT GET ACCREDITATION COMMENDATION. NOT GOOD STRATEGY. GET CALL FROM M. KOPELOW. BAD MOOD.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

My organization has been struggling to get consistent participation in our evaluations and surveys at our live meetings. Do you know of any good techniques for getting better response rates?

Sarah B. in Themyscira

CME HULK KNOW EXPECT HIM SAY THREATEN SMASH. CME HULK KNOW BETTER WAY. WHEN CME HULK HAVE CONFERENCE, CME HULK WAIT TIL END CONFERENCE THEN PASS OUT EVALUATION. CME HULK THEN STAND BACK ROOM WITH BOX SAY “EVALUATION HERE”. GLARE EVERYONE. SOMEONE TRY LEAVE ROOM NOT PUT EVALUATION IN BOX, CME HULK SAY “WHAT THINK YOU DOING?” 100% PARTICIPATION EVERY TIME.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

Can you take us through your process for developing a CME activity?

Peter P. in Forest Hills

THIS GOOD QUESTION. THIS HOW CME HULK DO. FIRST CME HULK CALL LOCAL HOSPITAL. ASK “WHAT PROBLEM HAVE?” HOSPITAL ALWAYS TELL CME HULK WHAT PROBLEM HAVE. THEN CME HULK ASK DOCTORS “WHY HAVE PROBLEM?” DOCTORS ALWAYS TELL CME HULK WHY HAVE PROBLEM. THEN CME HULK ASK KOL “HOW FIX PROBLEM?” KOL ALWAYS TELL CME HULK HOW FIX PROBLEM. FINALLY CME HULK HAVE ACTIVITY FOR DOCTORS. CME HULK SAY “START DO THIS” OR “STOP DO THAT”. DOCTORS ALWAYS START DO THIS OR STOP DO THAT. THEN CME HULK START OVER AGAIN.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

One of our grantors for an upcoming CME activity is a small pharmaceutical company just starting to dip their toe in the CME space. They are having a bit of trouble with the Standards for Commercial Support and-

CME HULK NOT NEED HEAR REST QUESTION. THIS ONE EASY. GIVE COPY SCS. TELL “OBEY”. THREATEN SMASH. DONE.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

What are your views of the negative impression of CME propagated by the mainstream press? Any ideas how the CME community can best counter?

Anthony S. in Malibu

SMASH.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

How would you resolve this scenario: one of your faculty members for a satellite symposium sends in a disclosure of relevant financial relationships form stating that he has nothing to disclose. During your slide review, 2 hours before the symposium, he comments, “Oops, I forgot to mention that I’m on the speakers bureau for XYZ Pharma.” XYZ Pharma is the sole supporter of the program.

Patience P. in Gotham

SMASH.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

SMASH.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

I enjoy your comments on Twitter, but what’s with all the smashing or threats of smashing?

Derek W. in Philadelphia

BIRDS FLY. CATS PURR. BUNNIES HOP. CME HULK SMASHES.

***

Dear CME Hulk,

Nice profile picture on Twitter. How did you get that big red “CME” on your chest? Is it a tattoo?

Bruce W. in Gotham

NO TATTOO. IS BIRTHMARK EVER SINCE BABY CME HULK. SEE? CME HULK DESTINED TO BE CME HULK. PEOPLE ASK CME HULK, “CME HULK, WHY NEED GET CCMEP? NOT NEED PROVE CME PROFESSIONAL. JUST POINT CHEST.” CME HULK DISAGREE. NEED PUT LETTERS CCMEP AFTER NAME. NOW CME PROFESSIONAL. CME HULK HAPPY.

***

CME HULK THANK ALL FOR QUESTIONS. MAYBE START OWN BLOG BUT HAVE TROUBLE TYPE ON TINY KEYS. GET ANGRY. SMASH. MAYBE NOT START OWN BLOG. FOLLOW CME HULK ON TWITTER INSTEAD.