IDSA Calls for Substantive Changes to ABIM’s MOC Program
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is calling on the American Board of Internal Medicine to make substantive changes to its Maintenance of Certification program to make it more clinically meaningful, relevant to scope of practice, supportive of continuous learning and inclusive of all physicians practicing within the infectious diseases discipline. The changes, requested in a Dec. 1 letter published today in Clinical Infectious Diseases from IDSA President Steven K. Schmitt, MD, FIDSA, to ABIM President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Baron, MD, MACP, reflect the overwhelming feedback received from IDSA members who reported that the current MOC program does not adequately reflect current practice or add clinical value and contributes to burnout.
Among the changes to ABIM’s MOC program, IDSA has requested that ABIM reduce MOC fees to allow for greater inclusivity and remove undue burden. Additionally, the Society calls for implementation of immediate changes to the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment system including removing time restrictions, allowing physicians to consult colleagues as they would do in practice, reducing the number of LKA questions physicians receive and eliminating the redundancy between the MOC and Continuing Medical Education requirements for state licensure.
In a survey of its members, IDSA found that concerns about the MOC requirements were shared by physicians across career stages but were more frequent among those in the early stages of their career.
“IDSA has worked closely with ABIM for years to provide feedback on the MOC program,” Dr. Schmitt wrote in the letter to ABIM. “It is our hope that we can continue a dialogue and work with ABIM to create an MOC program that improves clinical practice, optimizes patient care and supports lifelong learning.”
About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a community of more than 13,000 physicians, scientists and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at idsociety.org.