MOC Discussions Continue in an Effort to Address Physician Concerns

Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) leaders met on June 9, 2015, in Chicago with physician leaders from across the country to continue the discussion on Maintenance of Certification (MOC). During a summit meeting held in March in Philadelphia, PAMED led an initial discussion with 15 state and local medical societies that brought a focus on actions by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the roles of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and potential oversight by the American Medical Association (AMA).

During the annual meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, PAMED again took the lead and invited those interested in addressing MOC concerns to meet and work toward a consensus plan of action. Nearly 100 physician leaders and state medical society representatives filled the room and discussed issues such as cost effectiveness, suspension of Part III of the MOC exam, and MOC relevance to test failure rates.

As interest in MOC reform continues to build, PAMED is committed to coordinating communications among the growing group of interested physician leaders, state medical societies, and specialty societies, and continuing the dialogue with ABIM leaders.

Actions taken later by the AMA House of Delegates updated the relevant MOC policy and included important AMA policy points.

The AMA will:

1. Continue to collaborate with ABMS and Osteopathic Certifying member Boards to improve the MOC process
2. Encourage AMA members to seek leadership positions on ABMS and Osteopathic Continuing Certification member Boards
3. Endorse the concept that Certification Boards should be composed of actively practicing physicians
4. Encourage specialty societies to keep actively engaged with their Boards
5. Endorse transparency by member certifying Boards of the costs associated with the MOC process
6. Continue to endorse the concept that MOC should not be a mandated requirement for licensure, credentialing, reimbursement, network participation, or employment
7. Endorse the concept of timely feedback to physicians of all Part III activities
8. Endorse the concept that assessment results from Part III activities should guide physician-directed self -improvement
9. Endorse the concept of the provision by member certifying boards of multiple options for Part III assessment that account for different learning styles and practice styles

PAMED member Daniel Kimball, MD, from Reading chaired the House of Delegates reference committee that considered the MOC issue.