CHEST Guidelines-Maintenance-of-Certification

Maintenance-of-Certification_chest (1)

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Maintenance of Certification (MOC) has been a contentious topic for physicians, particularly due to the structure of the Assessment of Knowledge, Judgment, and Skills, which many find dissatisfactory. This component, often seen as onerous, has driven the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to rethink its approach through the Vision for the Future Commission. The commission suggests focusing on formative processes—aiming to improve physicians' performance rather than merely evaluating it.<br /><br />The transformation in MOC aims to maintain its value, encouraging physicians to update their knowledge and receive necessary feedback to fill knowledge gaps. Traditional self-assessment isn't sufficient as studies show physicians aren't effective at recognizing personal knowledge deficiencies. Therefore, objective feedback is essential for improvement in patient care.<br /><br />Innovative models such as the MOCA Minute from the American Board of Anesthesiology provide ongoing assessments with instant feedback. The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) is also underway with alternative assessments like the Knowledge Check-In, offering shorter tests biennially with access to resources, being implemented gradually across various specialties. Furthermore, ABIM is developing a flexible, self-paced pathway for ongoing knowledge demonstration, expected to launch in 2022.<br /><br />ABIM is urged to adopt a philosophy that bolsters knowledge advancement, ensuring assessments are relevant to every physician's practice scope. They are encouraged to collaborate with medical societies to integrate valuable educational resources and gather feedback to tweak the MOC's efficiency and acceptance. Emphasizing feedback inclusion and customization of questions aligned with specific practices are seen as critical steps toward evolving MOC into a tool for continuous learning and improved patient care. Ultimately, the goal is to shift MOC from a high-stakes evaluation to a supportive learning process.

Keywords

Maintenance of Certification

MOC

physicians

American Board of Medical Specialties

Vision for the Future Commission

formative processes

MOCA Minute

Knowledge Check-In

feedback

patient care