Cardiologist weighs in on ACC’s response to MOC changes

”The good news … is that front-line doctors are starting to be heard,” wrote Westby G. Fisher, MD, FACC, on his Dr. Wes blog. Fisher was referring to the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) June 2 statement regarding changes to the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements. The changes mandate completion of MOC activity every two years, completion of patient survey and patient safety activities, and passing a secure examination every 10 years. 

The ACC’s response cited members’ frustration and dissatisfaction with the process, but “it is disappointing” that the organization still sides with the ABIM’s requirements for the unproven MOC process, along with “the busy-work requirement for ‘Practice Improvement Modules’ (especially when quality measures are already required by hospitals), and for permitting a private organization to monopolize the ability of physicians to practice their trade,” Fisher wrote. 

Source: Dr. Wes