Doctors who completed their training in the early 1990’s, came into practice being told that their Board Certifications would be valid for just 10 years, with the need for re-testing every 10 years. The premise behind this concept was that physicians who participated in MOC found great value in it and that patients demanded that their doctors participate in MOC.
Having re-certified in 2005, and finding no real benefit to my practice, and feeling rather humiliated by the methods utilized by the Board to ensure a “secure” exam, I decided to query my colleagues and patients about their feelings towards MOC.
Here are some of my findings:
Only 13% of a physician sample over 600 found MOC of any value.
Less than 10% of patients correctly identified the meaning of Board Certification. Most people believe that Board Certification means being certified by a State Licensing Board.
Less than 6% of patients indicated that they use ABMS Certification as a criteria when they choose their doctor. A majority use their personal experience, and recommendations from family/friends/other doctors as their main criteria when choosing a doctor.
The myth being spread by ABMS and its affiliates, that the public demands MOC from its physicians, who in turn find great value in participating in it, is false. While we tried unsuccessfully to get this data published in the standard, well-known journals, we came to realize that these journals are themselves co-conspirators, along with ABMS, in spreading this myth.
The truth lies with patients and their doctors, who realize that the heart of medicine is the trusting relationship between the patient and his/her physician.
No test can properly assess this, and passing a test never has and never will be, an assurance of the quality of care. MOC is a manufactured solution to an imagined problem should be abandoned as soon as possible. It is time for truth to prevail.
Arvind Cavale MD is an endocrinologist in private practice, you can follow Dr. Cavale on Twitter @endodocPA.
If it were just an exam every 10 years, that’s one thing. Although I agree, it’s utterly humiliating to leave the office taking care of patients in a fully competent and licensed fashion…to being asked to lift my pants to my knees and get scanned by a metal detector like a criminal to take the test. But it’s the further insanity of doing online modules, testing on my patients without their consent, sending in patient letters of satisfaction, pulling charts and sending in chart reviews to show how “improved” I’ve become after participating in a practice improvement module…that’s what’s crazy, unethical and wrong about MOC.
It seems to me MOC (maintenance of certification) like URAAC or JACHO is just a racket designed to give others, the false feeling that you really are “up on things” and are practice or hire worthy-wink, wink (reminds me of whether or not a politician gets an endorsement from their party).
IMO, these certifications are meaningless, to me,it’s a way coerce money (lots of money) from your bank account, you know, “pay me this amount and I’ll make sure no one comes in and knocks things off your counter”
Better Business Bureau is exactly like that-they actually call new businesses to “encourage” them to sign with them-for a price, that is, and boom you are a member of BBB, you don’t earn your way in, you buy your way in.
As long as my doctor is licensed and is knowledgeable on the latest new medicines and procedures, I could care less and no one should care (and they don’t) if you put your instruments on the right or left side of the treatment table
Virtually every doctor I speak to hates MOC and thinks it’s a waste of time. We physicians need to become much more militant and just refuse to comply. I am board certified in general and plastic surgery. My plastic surgery board “expires” in 2016 and I have not participated in the MOC process. The board keeps sending me scary letters on brightly colored stationary to get me to send them money. I literally told them to go to hell. I don’t just talk the talk, I walk the walk.
Just stop sending these jerks your hard-earned money! You can do it!
The abuse is so widespread. Doctors are being bullied and abused by their employers, by some patients, insurance companies, media, and now licensing boards and more. We must stand up and have zero tolerance for abuse of our physicians. Please watch this video of a frightened doctor (her identity is concealed to protect her) speaking out about the abuse she sustained by her employer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2IngrAq7yA