American Board Of Family Medicine Maintenance Of Certification
The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is an organization that provides certification for family physicians in the United States. The organization was founded in 1969 and has since been responsible for maintaining the standards of family medicine in the country. The ABFM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program is designed to ensure that certified physicians continue to develop and maintain the necessary skills and knowledge required to provide quality care to their patients. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the ABFM MOC program.
What is ABFM MOC?
The ABFM MOC program is a comprehensive process that ensures that certified family physicians maintain their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. The program is designed to be flexible and allows physicians to choose their own learning activities according to their individual needs and interests.
The ABFM MOC program is divided into four parts:
- Professionalism
- Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
- Cognitive Expertise
- Performance in Practice
Each part of the program has its own set of requirements that physicians must meet in order to maintain their certification. These requirements are outlined in detail on the ABFM website.
Professionalism
The professionalism component of the ABFM MOC program is designed to ensure that physicians maintain high standards of ethical and professional behavior. To meet this requirement, physicians must complete an online professionalism module every five years. The module covers topics such as medical ethics, communication skills, and cultural competence.
Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
The lifelong learning and self-assessment component of the ABFM MOC program is designed to ensure that physicians continue to learn and grow throughout their careers. To meet this requirement, physicians must earn a total of 50 points every three years through various learning activities such as attending conferences, completing online courses, and participating in quality improvement projects.
In addition to earning points through learning activities, physicians must also complete a self-assessment module every three years. The module is designed to help physicians identify areas where they need to improve their knowledge and skills.
Cognitive Expertise
The cognitive expertise component of the ABFM MOC program is designed to ensure that physicians maintain their knowledge and skills in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, and management of common medical conditions. To meet this requirement, physicians must pass a secure, proctored exam every ten years.
The exam covers a wide range of topics related to family medicine, including preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and acute care. Physicians who pass the exam are considered to be current in their knowledge and skills and are awarded a new certificate that is valid for ten years.
Performance in Practice
The performance in practice component of the ABFM MOC program is designed to ensure that physicians provide high-quality care to their patients. To meet this requirement, physicians must complete a quality improvement project every ten years that is focused on a specific area of their practice.
The quality improvement project must be designed to improve patient outcomes and must be based on evidence-based medicine. Physicians must also collect and analyze data related to the project and report their findings to the ABFM.
Conclusion
The ABFM MOC program is a comprehensive process that ensures that certified family physicians maintain their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. The program is designed to be flexible and allows physicians to choose their own learning activities according to their individual needs and interests.
By completing the ABFM MOC program, physicians can demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality care to their patients and can maintain their certification in family medicine.