Physician Voices

I’d like to share some of what I am hearing from the physician community about MOC and our shared path forward. These are but a few highlights that caught my eye from the emails and phone calls ABIM has received – and is listening to – as we work to improve our programs and make them more meaningful.

• “I am encouraged by the continued discussions that are taking place and that the ABIM seems to be listening to its members about how difficult this process has been for those of us in a busy private practice taking care of our community. I also appreciate your ongoing communication about the dialogue and potential changes that are being considered.”

• “Why must I continue to take a written exam every 10 years? It makes no sense. As long as I stay current, that should suffice. And it’s obviously not fair that just because I graduated in 1990, I have to take a recert every 10 years. Did that one year make such a difference? If anything, everyone before 1990 who were grandfathered in should be recertified. A lot of them are certainly not current.”

• “1) I have found studying for the MOC exams to be very helpful and feel the process has made me a better physician. (Not exactly painless). 2) I have not found the intermittent requirements at all helpful. They add an unnecessary stress level. I prefer to meet my CME requirements by attending conferences with my associated societies.”

• “Think about a wiki-internal medicine approach where physicians can contribute to the database. Give them credit for editing and improving the data. Open source and open knowledge will make medicine better. Why are our medical students being asked to pay hundreds of dollars for text books that are already outdated when we could, as a profession, create something more valuable, improve the profession at the same time, and improve the care of patients!”

I’m grateful to all of you who have provided feedback so far. Please continue to share your thoughts with me at rbaronmd@abim.org. I will provide regular updates on this blog regarding what we’re hearing as we engage the community in these conversations.