This post was authored by Patrick T. O’Gara, MD, MACC, immediate past president of the ACC, and Richard Chazal, MD, FACC, president-elect of the ACC.

Following on the heels of its Internal Medicine Summit in Philadelphia, PA, last week, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has released an updated “Application for ABIM MOC Recognition” that provides more opportunities for physicians to earn Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part II points for activities with a self-assessment component that have traditionally been designated as CME credits only.

In its February 2015 announcement regarding changes to the MOC process, which resulted from sustained, constructive input from organizations like the ACC, ABIM indicated it would develop ways to recognize most forms of ACCME-approved Continuing Medical Education, thus “allowing new and more flexible ways” for physicians to demonstrate self-assessment of medical knowledge. The updated ABIM MOC application, if managed correctly, provides an opportunity for physicians to apply earned CME credits towards meeting their five-year MOC requirements.

As the newly appointed Chair and Vice-Chair of the ACC’s Board of Trustees Task Force for ABIM Liaison, we feel this flexible use of CME credits is a big step forward in our ongoing efforts to represent the needs of our members and hold ABIM accountable for their promise to “ensure that ABIM and MOC evolve to better reflect the changing nature of medical practice.” In the coming months ACC’s Education Team will be working with ABIM to clarify the changes. The College will also work with ABIM to develop criteria for identifying existing educational activities that are well-positioned for dual CME/MOC credit, to create a system for submitting new dual-credit activity requests and to determine how internal tracking of dual-credit activities will occur. This new process will not only leverage the increased flexibility as part of the College’s existing CME activities, but also provide ways to efficiently report MOC Part II credit on behalf of our MOC-participating members.

Obviously there is still a lot more work to be done in the MOC space. Rest assured this is one of the ACC’s highest priorities of the College. We will continue to espouse the highest standards of professionalism and competence in ways that are most meaningful and relevant to our patients, the public and our members.

The ACC’s Board of Governors is currently conducting a survey of members across the U.S., the results of which will be shared with ABIM and factored into the College’s decision-making. Presently, the ACC BOT Task Force for Liaison With ABIM is charged with working with the ABIM and its newly formed Cardiovascular Board for the purposes of: (1) providing advice and direction for the timely modification of Maintenance of Certification (MOC) processes; and (2) providing input for the topics to be included in certification and recertification procecesses. A huge thanks to Drs. Minnow Walsh, Bob Shor, Carole Warnes, Robert Hendel, Paul Casale, Richard Kovacs, Deepak Bhatt, Eric Williams, Jeff Kuvin, Roxana Mehran, Eric Bates and Jodie Hurwitz for their participation.

While the College is committed to giving input to ABIM to improve their processes, we are sensitive to the needs of membership and recognize that alternative routes for certification should be considered. We are convening a second Task Force on Cardiovascular Board Alternatives, composed of Drs. Robert Shor, Carole Warnes, Robert Hendel, Paul Casale, Richard Kovacs, Deepak Bhatt, Minnow Walsh and ourselves, to provide options and recommendations with regard to developing or participating in a cardiovascular board(s) independent of ABIM.

The College is diligently looking at ways to support its members, while recognizing our commitment to patients. Working together we will find the best way forward.

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