The ACC has decided we need to define what are the “core competencies” for the cardiologist — we want to develop a process to describe and continuously update what a competent cardiologist is expected to know and do.

We believe this effort will help inform the ABIM about how to best design the most relevant recertification processes, as well as to serve as the foundation for important educational products and programs to assist members in staying current and preparing for recertification. These efforts could also promote (and take the stress out of) voluntary recertification for grandfathered members.

It’s amazing to me that we haven’t been doing this for decades — it seems a core responsibility of the College. And, it’s clearly better for us to continuously define competency ourselves rather than have it defined by external pay-for-performance programs!