About IAS–USA

The IAS–USA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional organization that has been sponsoring continuing medical education (CME) programs for physicians since 1992 and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

Recognized for high-quality, independent educational programs, the IAS–USA has a clearly defined mission and an extensive network of experienced and committed experts in the management of HIV and other viral infections. The primary educational and informational programs sponsored by the IAS–USA include CME Courses, Cases on the Web, development of Treatment Guidelines, and publication and distribution of Topics in Antiviral Medicine.

The IAS–USA is not affiliated with worldwide IAS (an international organization of members working in HIV/AIDS).

Content Development and Objectivity Policies for CME Activities

The IAS–USA was founded on the commitment to produce the highest quality continuing medical education (CME) activities and services for managing HIV or other viral infections and to ensure that all CME content is absolutely free of commercial bias. All of the IAS–USA programs–such as conferences, Web-based CME publications, and treatment guidelines–contribute to a nationwide effort to inform health care practitioners about the evolving challenges of caring for patients with viral infections.

To further ensure complete independence of its programs and content from commercial influence, the IAS–USA prohibits health care providers who participate in commercial marketing or promotional activities from being involved in IAS–USA programs and activities. Information about the policy on the separation of promotional and marketing activities from IAS–USA CME activities, adopted in January 2009, can be found here.

The excellence of the IAS–USA programs is driven by a broad faculty of clinicians and researchers who are experts in viral infections and by the organization’s volunteer board of directors. The board and faculty determine issues that are most relevant to the clinical management of patients and guide the development of program content. The IAS–USA screens new faculty members to promote a diversity of clinical views.

The IAS–USA strives to maintain an objective, balanced, and scientifically rigorous program free from commercial bias. Funding for some organization programs may originate from educational grants from commercial companies or from Federal agencies. For CME activities designated to receive commercial support, the IAS–USA adheres to the following policies that prevent the involvement of outside entities in the planning and provision of program content:

• Commercially supported programs do not receive funding from a single source; funds must be received from several companies with competing products and are pooled to be used at IAS–USA discretion.

• The IAS–USA maintains a firewall between commercial funding sources and CME program content by internally managing every aspect of the planning, development, and delivery of its CME activities.

• For all CME activities, the IAS–USA requires full disclosure of relationships—financial and otherwise—that its faculty or other persons in control of content have with commercial organizations and other outside entities.

• When a real or potential conflict of interest is determined to exist, the IAS–USA resolves the conflict before permitting a faculty member to participate in any CME program development or implementation.

• The IAS–USA undertakes an independent peer review of the content and recommendations of all of its CME activities.

Click here to view the 2010 Summary of Programs
Click here to view the 2009 Summary of Programs

2012 Funders

Commercial Support for Improving the Management of HIV Disease® Courses

PLATINUM SUPPORTER:
Gilead Sciences, Inc

SILVER SUPPORTERS:
Abbott Laboratories
Janssen Therapeutics
ViiV Healthcare

Commercial Support for the Half-Day Intensive Viral Hepatitis Workshops

PLATINUM SUPPORTER:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals

GOLD SUPPORTER:
Abbott Laboratories

ACCME Accreditation

The IAS–USA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

In 2006, the IAS–USA received Accreditation with Commendation, joining an elite group of organizations in the United States that have been awarded this prestigious status "reserved for programs which are truly exceptional," according to the ACCME.

Future Directions

A primary challenge in the field of viral infection education lies in disseminating the most recent information and treatment guidelines to physicians while knowledge continues to evolve. The IAS–USA is committed to pursuing the most effective, convenient, and cost-efficient ways to reach a greater portion of the target physician audience and effect long-term improvements in physicians' clinical care of their patients.

Until there is a cure for HIV disease, the IAS–USA will continue to provide information and education for physicians involved in treating HIV/AIDS. To address other viral infections that affect millions worldwide, the IAS–USA will expand its CME offerings to cover a broader universe of viral diseases and emerging strategies for managing them. In all IAS–USA programming, the goal is to help physicians provide the best possible care for their patients and, thereby, positively impact patient lives.


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