Guidelines for Membership and MCCFP Accreditation

Caribbean College of Family Physicians (CCFP)

  1. Overview

The Caribbean College of Family Physicians (CCFP) is the regional professional body dedicated to advancing the standards, education, and professional development of Family Physicians and General Practitioners across the Caribbean.

Membership in the College is structured to recognize varying levels of training and professional experience, with a defined pathway toward achieving the MCCFP (Member – Caribbean College of Family Physicians) designation.

  1. Membership Categories

2.1 Full Membership (MCCFP)

Full Membership of the College is denoted by the MCCFP credential, which signifies that a physician has met the academic, professional, and continuing medical education requirements of the College.

2.2 Associate Membership

Associate Membership is available to physicians who are engaged in primary care or related disciplines but who have not yet met the requirements for Full Membership (MCCFP).

  1. Direct Pathway to MCCFP (Family Medicine Specialists)

3.1 Physicians with a DM in Family Medicine

Physicians who hold a Doctor of Medicine (DM) in Family Medicine from a recognized institution are eligible for direct admission to the College under the following conditions:

  1. a) Within Three (3) Years of Award of DM
  • Physicians who apply for membership within the first three (3) years of receiving their DM in Family Medicine will:
    • Be admitted as Full Members of the College
    • Receive a Membership Certificate carrying the MCCFP designation
  • No additional CME requirement is required at the point of entry under this pathway.
  1. b) After Three (3) Years of Award of DM
  • Physicians who apply after three (3) years have elapsed since receiving their DM in Family Medicine will:
    • Be admitted as Associate Members, unless they can provide:
      • Documentary proof of a minimum of 150 CME credit hours
  • Upon verification of the required CME credits, the Membership Certificate will carry the MCCFP designation.
  1. Physicians with a Diploma in Family Medicine
  • Physicians holding a Diploma in Family Medicine will normally be admitted as Associate Members of the College.
  • However, if the physician can provide documented proof of a minimum of 150 CME credit hours, then:
    • The Membership Certificate will carry the MCCFP designation
    • The physician will be recognized as a Full Member (MCCFP)
  1. General Practitioners and Other Medical Specialists
  • General Practitioners and physicians from other medical specialties may apply for Associate Membership in the CCFP.
  • Associate Membership provides access to:
    • Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities
    • Professional development opportunities
    • Regional networking and academic collaboration within the College
  1. Alternate Pathway to MCCFP Accreditation

The CCFP provides an Alternate Pathway to MCCFP Accreditation for Associate Members.

Eligibility Criteria

Associate Members may apply for MCCFP Accreditation under the Alternate Pathway if they meet all of the following conditions:

  1. Have held Associate Membership in the CCFP for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years
  2. Are in good financial standing, with all annual subscriptions fully paid
  3. Have maintained an active CME portfolio
  4. Can provide documented proof of CME certificates earned over the three-year period

Application Process

  • Eligible Associate Members may submit:
    • A completed MCCFP Certification/Accreditation Application Form
    • Copies of all CME certificates earned during the three-year period
  • Applications are reviewed by the appropriate CCFP Accreditation Committee
  • Upon successful review and approval:
    • The physician will be awarded MCCFP Accreditation
    • The Membership Certificate will be updated to reflect the MCCFP designation
  1. Continuing Medical Education (CME) Requirement
  • The benchmark CME requirement for MCCFP recognition is:
    • A minimum of 150 CME credit hours over a three-year period
  • CME activities should be:
    • Relevant to Family Medicine and Primary Care
    • Accredited or recognized by approved local, regional, or international bodies
  1. Annual Subscription and Good Standing
  • Annual subscription fees must be paid to maintain membership status and enjoy the benefits of the College.
  • Failure to maintain financial good standing may affect:
    • Membership status
    • Eligibility for MCCFP Accreditation
    • Use of the MCCFP designation
  1. Summary of Pathways

Qualification / Status

Initial Membership

MCCFP Eligibility

DM in Family Medicine (≤ 3 years post-award)

Full Member

              Automatic MCCFP

DM in Family Medicine (> 3 years post-award)

Associate Member

               MCCFP with 150 CME

Diploma in Family Medicine

Associate Member

               MCCFP with 150 CME

General Practitioners / Other Specialists

Associate Member

               Alternate Pathway after 3 years + CME

Maintenance of Membership Status and Use of the MCCFP Designation

  1. Ongoing Requirements for All Members

All members of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians (CCFP)—whether admitted with the MCCFP designation at entry, admitted as Full Members, Associate Members, or through any alternate pathway—are required to meet the ongoing professional and financial obligations of the College in order to maintain their membership in good standing and retain the right to use the MCCFP designation.

10.1 Continuing Medical Education (CME) Compliance

  • All members must actively maintain their Continuing Medical Education (CME).
  • Members are required to:
    • Participate in relevant CME/CPD activities on an ongoing basis, and
    • Submit documentary proof of CME credits when requested by the College or as part of periodic accreditation or verification exercises.
  • Failure to maintain or submit proof of required CME may result in:
    • Suspension or withdrawal of the right to use the MCCFP designation, and/or
    • Reclassification of membership status, in accordance with CCFP policies.

10.2 Annual Subscription and Financial Standing

  • All members must:
    • Pay annual membership dues in full and on time
    • Payment may be made:
      • Through the member’s local CCFP Chapter, or
      • Directly to the CCFP, where applicable
  • Members must remain in good financial standing to:
    • Retain active membership
    • Enjoy all membership benefits
    • Continue to use the MCCFP designation

10.3 Use of the MCCFP Designation

  • The MCCFP designation is a professional credential granted by the College and may only be used by members who:
    • Are current with their CME requirements, and
    • Are in good financial standing with the College
  • Members who do not meet these ongoing obligations may be required to:
    • Cease use of the MCCFP designation until compliance is restored

Key Principle

The MCCFP designation is not a lifetime entitlement.
It is a professional credential that must be actively maintained through continuing education, ethical practice, and financial good standing within the Caribbean College of Family Physicians.

CME Guidelines

 

Guidelines for continuing medical education (CME)

” The CCFP hereby establishes criteria for CME certification with which each member of the college is expected to comply “

  • Each CCFP member is required to achieve a minimum of 50 hours annually and on completion of 150 hours, an accreditation certificate will be given to said member.
  • A CME accreditation form will be sent to each member annually, and on completion, the said form should be sent to the CCFP secretariat as soon as possible.

CME credits will be awarded for the following:


Group learning activities (50-100% of all credit hours)

  • Formal courses in a recognized teaching institution.
  • Clinical meetings, symposia & workshops.
  • Medical seminars arranged by a professional association.
  • Lectures by medical experts.

Individual learning activities (50% of all credit hours)

  • Audiotapes, videotapes & lectures via satellite, medical television, uwidec, and the internet (up to 10% of total CME).
  • Medical journals (up to 10% of total CME).
  • Presentation and/or publication of original papers at medical meetings or medical journals (up to 50% of total CME).
  • Participation in journal clubs, study groups etc. (up to 50% of total CME). 

The number of credits ascribed per hour of involvement in each activity:

 AGP/CCFP/MAJ sponsored events 1 credit/hour
 Medical seminars arranged by a professional association 1 credit/hour
 Clinico-pathological conferences (CPC) 1 credit/hour
 Educational meetings outlined in hospital schedule 1 credit/hour
 Accident & emergency conferences 1 credit/hour
 UWIDEC & overseas conferences 1 credit/hour
 Journal club ¼ credit/hour
 Publications 4 credits/publication
 Presentations at meetings 4 credits/hour of presentation
 Audio/video tapes 1 credit/hour
 Teaching ward rounds ¾ credit/hour
 Community work (voluntary) 2 hours/year