Family medicine gets jump on certification program

Some family physicians say changes will make the maintenance-of-certification process more flexible.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. June 12, 2006.

The American Board of Family Medicine has gotten an early start on changes to its maintenance-of-certification program, which offers a seven-year or 10-year certification cycle. In response to requests from diplomates, the ABFM on May 18 began instituting its enhancements -- months earlier than the January 2007 start it had planned.

Board officials say the changes make the process more user-friendly for family physicians seeking to maintain board certification. "People wanted it, and we obviously want to encourage participation in maintenance of certification," said James Puffer, MD, ABFM president and CEO.

In the seven-year program, diplomates complete six self-assessment modules (SAMs) and one performance-practice module (or complete a METRIC module created by the American Academy of Family Physicians) before taking the recertification exam in the sixth or seventh year.

Under the 10-year plan, physicians do two SAMs and one performance-in-practice or one METRIC module in three separate three-year stages. The recertification exam is in the 10th year.

The seven-year plan requires the completion of one module per calendar year. The new 10-year program allows doctors to complete their required modules at any time during each three-year stage. Board officials say the shift relieves the pressure of the annual requirements and year-end rush to finish modules.

"During the three-year stage, they can do [modules] whenever they want," Dr. Puffer said.