Maintenance of Certification – The Saga Continues

At the urging of state societies, such as the California Orthopaedic Association (COA), and regional societies, such as the Western Orthopaedic Association (WOA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has been working diligently with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) to push for changes to the unpopular Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.

A recent survey by the ABOS yielded a 60% response rate which speaks to the importance of this issue to orthopaedic surgeons. Approximately 40% were in favor of a longitudinal pathway for testing and 40% in favor of the current, 10-year, high-stakes exam option. In response, the ABOS Board voted to approve and commit to the development of a longitudinal pathway within the next year. Details are preliminary, but longitudinal pathway participants will be given literature to review at intermittent times followed by a series of questions to answer. So long as a 70% passing rate is maintained, the diplomate will remain on the pathway and not be required to take the 10-year exam. This could not have been a reality without pressure from the COA, WOA, and AAOS. We will continue to monitor the process in support of our members to ensure a meaningful MOC program.

More information may be found at www.abos.org.
 
Basil R. Besh, MD
[email protected]
www.drbesh.com

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