January 27, 2010 – The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) – the nation's three largest physician certifying Boards–today announced that Mayo Clinic has been approved as a Portfolio Sponsor of Maintenance of Certification (MOC) activities. Mayo Clinic's rigorous attention to detail and the structure of its physician quality improvement (QI) programs was recognized for inclusion in the pilot MOC Portfolio Approval Program.
As an MOC Portfolio Sponsor, Mayo Clinic has primary ownership of the design and execution of a large number of QI activities that are managed centrally through an established infrastructure and overseen by a formal governance body. Mayo Clinic will also accept accountability for ensuring the activities meet the standards outlined by the three boards and for management of the QI activities.
While the ABFM, ABIM and the ABP have individually recognized other organizations' QI products and programs for MOC credit in the past, Mayo Clinic is the first organization to be recognized, jointly, by all three Boards. The three primary care boards expect to approve two–four additional portfolio sponsor organizations in the next three years as part of this effort.
“We are proud that Mayo Clinic is the first organization recognized by the three largest certifying Boards and believe that this is a testament to Mayo's leadership in quality improvement,” said Richard Berger, MD, Dean of the Mayo School of Continuous Professional Development. “We believe rigorous quality improvement efforts make better physicians, improve the systems of care that physicians work in, and, most importantly, enhance patient care, furthering Mayo Clinic's leadership in the practice of medicine. We are delighted that family physicians, internists, and pediatricians who are engaged in QI activities every day will receive MOC credit for their hard work.”
Research has shown that fewer than 30 percent of physicians examine their own performance data, and physicians' ability to independently self-assess and self-evaluate is poor. Each certifying Board requires physicians to look at their practice and make improvements. Mayo Clinic has established QI activities in its clinical setting that meet the three primary care boards' requirements for improving performance in practice.
“We look forward to recognizing other programs that engage physicians in rigorous quality improvement activities,” said James A. Stockman, MD, President and CEO of the American Board of Pediatrics. “Physicians want to deliver the best care possible to their patients, and these programs help them understand where improvement is needed and give them a structured environment to make positive changes.”
Mayo Clinic's Quality Review Board will evaluate Mayo physicians' participation in structured QI activities to determine if they meet the Boards' requirements for MOC. Among the requirements for MOC approval:
- Projects must focus on one of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) six dimensions of quality (i.e., making health care more safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable).
- Physicians must provide direct or consultative care to patients as part of the QI project or actively participate in the process of care being addressed by the project. This includes physicians who actively supervise a trainee (resident or fellow) during a QI project.
- Physicians must demonstrate active collaboration in QI project design and/or implementation, such as team meetings, data analysis, implementation training, etc.
“MOC is a multi-faceted program that includes knowledge and continuous improvement,” said Christine K. Cassel, MD, President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine. “We look for opportunities to reduce the administrative burden for physicians, but still ensure that they are meeting our high standards of self evaluation and quality improvement.”
“The three primary care boards are working together to develop novel programs that can be used to maintain certification, and this collaborative pilot with Mayo Clinic represents just one of our innovative projects,” said James C. Puffer, MD, President and CEO of the American Board of Family Medicine. “We continue to explore next-generation approaches to quality improvement, including those that interface with integrated health care systems, community-based medical groups and the individual physician's practice.”
For more information, contact Kevin Graves at 888-995-5700 ext.1100 or e-mail kgraves@theabfm.org.
About the ABFM
The mission of the ABFM, a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), is to promote excellence in medical care through educational and scientific initiatives. Through certification and maintenance of certification programs the ABFM pursues its mission by establishing, maintaining, and measuring high standards of excellence in the specialty of Family Medicine. The ABFM seeks to provide assurance to the public that certified family physicians possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide quality care to the individual, family, and community through commitment to professional standing, continued competency in the specialty of family medicine, and lifelong learning. The public can verify their family physician’s certification and maintenance of certification at www.theabfm.org.
ABIM Board Certified Doctors Make a Difference
Internists and subspecialists who earn and maintain board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) differentiate themselves every day through their specialized knowledge and commitment to continual learning in service of their patients. Established as an independent nonprofit more than 80 years ago, ABIM continues to be driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world. Visit ABIM's blog to learn more and follow ABIM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ABIM is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
ABIM Board Certified Doctors Make a Difference
Internists and subspecialists who earn and maintain board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) differentiate themselves every day through their specialized knowledge and commitment to continual learning in service of their patients. Established as an independent nonprofit more than 80 years ago, ABIM continues to be driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world. Visit ABIM's blog to learn more and follow ABIM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ABIM is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties.