ABS wants feedback on 10-year exam alternatives
The group will be at national and regional medical meetings this summer and fall to ask surgeons, in person, what they want their MOC system to be. There might be surveys as well, and ABS plans to be at the ACS Clinical Congress in October to solicit input.
The Board is looking to help surgeons with multiple certificates, whether from ABS or other boards, as well. “If we can create a more flexible assessment program that helps them maintain all their certifications, that’s what we want to do. We are looking at options to make it easier for them,” said ABS Director of Communications and Public Affairs Christine Shiffer, who noted that ABS will still likely require a 12-month case log every 10 years, even if surgeons opt out of the 10-year exam.
Will the new system have a negative impact on patient outcomes? After all, even specialized surgeons take night call sometimes. “ABS is responsible to surgeons but also the American public. If we say somebody is certified, it has to mean something. People would argue that there’s no real evidence that the recertification process improves surgical competence. Time will tell,” Dr. Scott-Conner said.
Dr. Lewis said he doesn’t know if the changes will save any money on MOC but noted that, instead of one $1,600 fee every 10 years, there’ll be an option to spread payments out.
Dr. Hughes is on the editorial advisory board of this publication.
