ABFM: no change to maintenance of certification requirements

(HealthDay)—In response to the announcement of changes to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) has announced that it will not be making changes to the requirements for maintaining certification at this time.

In response to criticism from physicians, the ABIM announced a significant changes to its MOC program, effective immediately, which include suspension of Practice Assessment, Patient Voice, and Patient Safety requirements for at least two years. Other changes include updating the Internal Medicine MOC exam and assuring new and more flexible ways for internists to demonstrate self-assessment of medical knowledge.

The ABFM notes that they serve a different population from the ABIM and have approached the MOC differently. They have examined the ABIM's changes along with the underlying reasons but have decided not to make any changes to the MOC requirements at this stage.

"ABFM remains committed to implementing the American Board of Medical Specialties 2015 Program Standards," according to a statement from the ABFM. "We continuously assess our certification requirements, including examinations and MOC activities to continuously improve."