New Jersey physicians are required to complete:

• 1 credit on prescription opioid drugs, including responsible prescribing practices, alternatives to opioids for managing and treating pain, and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. (For more information on the NJ prescription opioid drugs requirement, see the last paragraph on page 28 of the law enacted by the state and general assembly of New Jersey.)
• 2 credits on end-of-life care. (For more information on the NJ end-of-life requirement, see njconsumeraffairs.gov/bme/Pages/End-of-Life-Care.aspx.)
• 6 credits on cultural competency. This is a one time requirement. There are 6 specific topics that must be covered in the accredited cultural competency CME in order to meet the Board requirements:
  • A context for the training, common definitions of cultural competence, race, ethnicity and culture and tools for self assessment.
  • An appreciation for the traditions and beliefs of diverse patient populations, at multiple levels- as individuals, in families and as part of a larger community.
  • An understanding of the impact that stereotyping can have on medical decision making.
  • Strategies for recognizing patterns of health care disparities and eliminating factors influencing them.
  • Approaches to enhance cross-cultural skills, such as those relating to history-taking, problem solving and promoting patient compliance.
  • Techniques to deal with language barriers and other communication needs, including working with interpreters.

  Virtual Lecture Hall Cultural Competency courses DO cover these topics. (For more information on the NJ cultural competency requirements, see https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/bme/Pages/Cultural-Competency.aspx.)