The ABFP’s New Web Portal Promises Unparalleled Access for Family Physicians
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January 2004 begins an exciting new era of communication delivery by the ABFP to all of its Diplomates via the Internet. Gone are the days when Diplomates have to wait for answers to questions regarding any aspect of certification/recertification status, examination dates, sites and scores, CME progress, etc. A secure, user-friendly Web site has been designed to help Diplomates manage all facets of their relationship with ABFP more efficiently.

The new ABFP Web portal, [http://www.abfp.org](http://www.abfp.org), will give all Diplomates immediate and unparalleled access to their personal portfolio, which will contain vital information regarding their certification/ recertification status. This information can be easily downloaded to provide necessary documentation for credentialing purposes. This new Web portal will also be the entry point used by Diplomates to participate in the Maintenance of Certification Program for Family Physicians (MC-FP) and for navigating and managing their progress in this process. Each Diplomate will have secure access to his or her unique personal portfolio by entering an ID and a password. IDs and passwords were mailed to all Diplomates in July 2003. A Diplomate who has misplaced his or her ID and/or password, should call the ABFP’s Help Desk at (877) 223–7437.

The Web site will be divided into 2 sections. The first will contain general information that will be available to both Diplomates and the general public. This information will include an overview of the ABFP certification, recertification, and MC-FP requirements and processes, mechanisms for physician verification by insurance providers, third party payers, hospitals, etc, and a Directory of Diplomates, as well as a frequently asked questions section.

The second section will be accessible only by Diplomates using an ID and a password. This section contains 4 components including the following:

## PORTFOLIO.

Diplomates will be able to track their personal progress throughout their respective certification/recertification and/or MC-FP cycle. They will also be able to access their unique portfolios, which contain their personal and professional history.

## SPECIFIC MC-FP REQUIREMENTS.

Diplomates will be able to review their specific requirements for participation in MC-FP, including the available fee schedules for participation.

## MC-FP ON-LINE TUTORIALS.

Tutorials are available for Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) and Computer-Based Assessment System (CBAS).

## SELF-ASSESSMENT.

Each Diplomate will be able to demonstrate knowledge of specific disease domains through the completion of clinical SAMs and patient simulation modules during each MC-FP cycle.

The Board’s new Web portal, [http://www.abfp.org](http://www.abfp.org), promises to provide each Diplomate with efficient and immediate access to the information they need, from the comfort of their home or office at a time of their choosing.

*   © 2004 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.