AGA applauds the announcement by the American Board of Internal Medicine that it is extending the suspension of the practice improvement, patient safety, and patient voice requirements until at least December 2018.
Throughout 2015, AGA has pushed ABIM to reconsider the burdensome recertification process. Gastroenterologists need a recertification system that fosters active learning, not high-stakes testing.
Dr. Michael Camilleri
Our campaign continues – AGA is communicating with other subspecialty societies to work together to secure the best approach to MOC consistent with the principles we previously published:
• MOC needs to be simpler, less intrusive, and less expensive.
• We support ending the high‐stakes, every-10‐year exam.
• We do not support closed‐book assessments as they do not represent the current realities of medicine in the digital age.
• We support the principles of lifelong learning as evidenced by ongoing CME activities, rather than lifelong testing.
• We support the concept that, for the many diplomates who specialize within certain areas of gastroenterology and hepatology, MOC should not need to include high‐stakes assessments of areas where the diplomate may not practice.
We hear you that MOC is a burden and we will continue to push for the principles of individualization, specialization, and dropping the high-stakes exam – sooner rather than later.
Practicalities for those up for recertification
While we advocate for a new MOC system, there are requirements that still stand. Make sure you are up to date before the end of 2015:
• If you need to complete MOC points by Dec. 31, 2015, AGA has activities you can complete to earn those points. Please visit the MOC section of the AGA website to see how we can help you.
• Each board certified physician’s requirements are slightly different based on the year of your certification or most recent recertification. For details specific to you, we urge you to log in to your ABIM Physician Portal.
For more information, read our paper, The Gastroenterologist-accountable Professionalism in Practice Pathway, and consensus principles for reform that AGA developed with ACG, ASGE, AASLD, ANMS and NASPGHAN.
