ENTtoday
  • Home
  • Practice Focus
    • Allergy
    • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Head and Neck
    • Laryngology
    • Otology/Neurotology
    • Pediatric
    • Rhinology
    • Sleep Medicine
  • Departments
    • Issue Archive
    • TRIO Best Practices
      • Allergy
      • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
      • Head and Neck
      • Laryngology
      • Otology/Neurotology
      • Pediatric
      • Rhinology
      • Sleep Medicine
    • Career Development
    • Case of the Month
    • Everyday Ethics
    • Health Policy
    • Legal Matters
    • Letter From the Editor
    • Medical Education
    • Online Exclusives
    • Practice Management
    • Resident Focus
    • Rx: Wellness
    • Special Reports
    • Tech Talk
    • Viewpoint
    • What’s Your O.R. Playlist?
  • Literature Reviews
    • Allergy
    • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Head and Neck
    • Laryngology
    • Otology/Neurotology
    • Pediatric
    • Rhinology
    • Sleep Medicine
  • Events
    • Featured Events
    • TRIO Meetings
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Triological Society
    • Advertising Staff
    • Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Place an Ad
    • Classifieds
    • Rate Card
  • Search

The Controversy Over Maintenance of Certification

by Karen Appold • January 7, 2018

  • Tweet
  • Email
Print-Friendly Version

The movement opposing the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program is gaining momentum. Physicians who oppose mandatory MOC requirements by hospitals and insurers have been influential in proposing legislation in 17 states so far to ban the requirements.

You Might Also Like

No related posts.

Explore This Issue
January 2018

“Some state medical societies have asked their state governments to legislate what MOC can and can’t be used for,” said Brian Nussenbaum, MD, executive director of the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) and a member of ENTtoday’s editorial advisory board. The ABOto, which started requiring MOC in 2002, is one of 24 member boards that comprise the ABMS. To date, bills restricting the use of MOC for privileging, reimbursement and/or licensure have been introduced in 26 states and passed in seven (Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas).

The legislation opposing mandatory MOC has been driven by some diplomates who say that certification processes are not relevant to their practices, are too time consuming and costly, and don’t accurately reflect what’s necessary to maintain the public trust in continuing certification. In addition, high-stakes exams that need to be taken at least every 10 years cause a great deal of anxiety.

Physicians in the anti-MOC movement support initial board certification but say that MOC has evolved into a money-making scheme that forces them to pay testing fees that are too costly and are required too often.

Among groups that oppose MOC are the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Practicing Physicians of America, and the Association of Independent Doctors. Individual physicians are also contacting their state medical societies and legislators to ban mandatory MOC requirements by hospitals and insurers.

The ABMS, which sets the standards for physician certification, says MOC is necessary for quality of care and patient safety. Dr. Nussenbaum also stands behind the rationale for MOC—he said that initially becoming a board-certified physician immediately after completing residency and an ABOto diplomate is not enough to ensure that the physician will continue to maintain that competency throughout his or her entire career. “Our philosophy is that initial certification is not equal to lifelong certification,” he added. “Certification, rather, is a lifelong process that starts with initial certification and is ongoing throughout an individual’s career.”

Additionally, according to ABMS, there is evidence that board certification and MOC are associated with higher standards, better quality care, and improved patient outcomes. Certified physicians are also significantly less likely to be disciplined by state medical boards. There is also evidence that physicians participating in MOC provide care at a lower cost, mostly by ordering fewer tests and demonstrating more efficient patient management.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 | Single Page

Filed Under: Features, Home Slider Tagged With: certification, maintenance of certification, MOCIssue: January 2018

You Might Also Like:

The Triological SocietyENTtoday is a publication of The Triological Society.

The Laryngoscope
Ensure you have all the latest research at your fingertips; Subscribe to The Laryngoscope today!

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology
Open access journal in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery is currently accepting submissions.

Classifieds

View the classified ads »

TRIO Best Practices

View the TRIO Best Practices »

Top Articles for Residents

  • Do Training Programs Give Otolaryngology Residents the Necessary Tools to Do Productive Research?
  • Why More MDs, Medical Residents Are Choosing to Pursue Additional Academic Degrees
  • What Physicians Need to Know about Investing Before Hiring a Financial Advisor
  • Tips to Help You Regain Your Sense of Self
  • Should USMLE Step 1 Change from Numeric Score to Pass/Fail?
  • Popular this Week
  • Most Popular
  • Most Recent
    • The Dramatic Rise in Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment
    • Is Middle Ear Pressure Affected by Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Use?
    • Rating Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Severity: How Do Two Common Instruments Compare?
    • Keeping Watch for Skin Cancers on the Head and Neck
    • Vertigo in the Elderly: What Does It Mean?
    • The Dramatic Rise in Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment
    • Rating Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Severity: How Do Two Common Instruments Compare?
    • Vertigo in the Elderly: What Does It Mean?
    • What Happens to Medical Students Who Don’t Match?
    • Complications for When Physicians Change a Maiden Name
    • Resident Unions Are Growing in Popularity in Otolaryngology
    • Is Caring for the Homeless and Uninsured Really Someone Else’s Problem?
    • Otolaryngology Practices Use Digital Tools to Pre-authorize—With Mixed Results
    • A Look at the Past, Present, and Future of DEI Medical Education Initiatives
    • Barbie, Bullying, and Bravery: Ending Workplace Bullying Requires Strong Leadership

Polls

Do you think resident unions are a positive development for otolaryngology?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Preferences

Visit: The Triological Society • The Laryngoscope • Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

Wiley
© 2023 The Triological Society. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN 1559-4939