The American Board of Family Practice (ABFP)’s Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) process is now welcoming its second group of Diplomates who certify or recertify in 2004. These physicians will begin their MC-FP cycle in January 2005. Our first group of Diplomates who certified or recertified in 2003, and began their MC-FP cycle in January 2004, are now 6 months into their first year. Throughout these first 6 months, the Board has responded to the comments from Diplomates with positive action, which has contributed to the MC-FP process being more beneficial and easier to use.
It is important to note that the MC-FP process continues to evolve. Its success is dependent upon the communication we have with our Diplomates. We encourage and invite your input.
DIPLOMATES WHO CERTIFY OR RECERTIFY IN 2004
By the time you receive this issue of the Annals of Family Medicine, the second wave of Diplomates will have completed their certification or recertification examination. If you are one of these physicians who has successfully completed the examination, you will enter your cycle of the MC-FP process on January 1, 2005. Your 7-year MC-FP cycle is similar to the recertification cycle that the ABFP has had in place for more than 30 years. Along with the other 23 medical specialty boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the ABFP has broadened its requirement for self-assessment and lifelong learning. The MC-FP has some unique components that require your attention every year.
Unlike the former recertification process, we can now assess the Diplomate’s knowledge beyond “just knowing” to “applying and doing” by using today’s technology. We have developed this program so you can participate electronically at your convenience. Most components of the MC-FP process can be completed in the comfort of your home or office at a time of your choosing. We will be communicating with you electronically on a regular basis, so it is important that we always have a valid e-mail address. If for any reason you change your e-mail address, notify us of the change via the Web site at http://www.abfp.org. If you need assistance, call our Help Desk at 877-223-7437.
Beginning January 1, 2005, our Web site (http://www.abfp.org) will be your entry portal to participate in the MC-FP process. The first section of the Web site contains general information. The second section can be accessed only by Diplomates using an ID and password. To help you understand the MC-FP process and its components, the ABFP encourages you to use the help resources, which are designed to help Diplomates conserve time and enhance their effort. Some of these help resources are described below.
Online Tutorials and Help Desk
The following valuable interactive tools have been extremely helpful to Diplomates: Go to http://www.abfp.org and select the tutorial tab for 10-minute tutorials on using the Web site, completing the Self-Assessment Module (SAM), and completing the interactive patient simulation (CBAS).
A Help Desk is open 12 hours daily at 1-877-223-7437. A live operator will answer questions regarding computer access, ID and Password information, navigation, etc.
General Information and Frequently Asked Questions
This area gives an excellent overall description of the MC-FP process. It also answers a number of questions the Board has received. A MC-FP instruction booklet, which the reader can download, may be accessed at: http://www.abfp.org/MOC/InstructionManualMC-FP.pdf.
MC-FP and Diplomate Portfolio (Login, User ID, and Password Required)
If you have not received your login information, please contact the Help Desk via e-mail at http://www.abfp.org/login.aspx or call 1-877-233-7437.
This password-protected area allows you to access your unique Diplomate portfolio. Your portfolio will contain your personal and professional history and will track your progress in completing components of the MC-FP.
DIPLOMATES WHO CERTIFIED OR RECERTIFIED IN 2003 AND ARE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THEIR MC-FP CYCLE
The new MC-FP has been in place for 6 months. During this time, hundreds of Diplomates have logged on to http://www.abfp.org, reviewed the tutorials, and completed either the Diabetes or Hypertension self-assessment modules (SAMs). We have encouraged feedback from these Diplomates via e-mail and at multichapter and state chapter meetings. We regard this communication as critical in the evolution of MC-FP process. Samples of questions we have received are answered below.
Q: Is CME credit available for successful completion of the SAMs?
A: The AAFP has recently awarded up to 15 hours of prescribed CME credit for successful completion of each of our first 2 SAMs (Hypertension and Diabetes).
Q: How many times can I take the SAM (Diabetes or Hypertension)?
A: Diplomates may take each SAM as many times as needed. On the third unsuccessful attempt to answer questions, an educational critique (basis for question) is shown. Please note there is not a separate fee for each attempt. During the MC-FP cycle, each Diplomate will be responsible for taking 1 SAM per year for a total of 6.
Q: What are the different payments options for the MC-FP cycle?
A: There are 3 payment options: (1) prepay-all-inclusive includes examination fee; (2) 7-year annual payment-all-inclusive; includes examination fee; and (3) pay as you go, currently $50 per SAM, $50 for performance in practice module (PPM), and applicable examination fee during the year in which you take the examination. Please see our Web site or call the Help Desk for further information.
Q: I do not have broadband Internet access. Will I be able to access the SAMs by dial-up?
A: Our dial-up access has performed well, and in head-to-head comparisons, our Web pages load more quickly than CNN.com and other major Web sites. We continue to monitor this area closely.
Q: What are the specifics of data transfer between the AAFP and ABFP? What will be automatic? What are the Diplomates’ responsibilities?
A: A great deal of electronic data sharing already exists between the AAFP and ABFP. Both organizations understand the value of this arrangement, and an agreement to expand data sharing is being put into final form. Currently, each Diplomate will be responsible for informing the AAFP with regard to reporting CME credit.
Q: What is the process that will be used to transfer file data to the ABFP for the chart review requirements, and how will this process comply with HIPAA regulations?
A: The ABFP is sensitive to HIPAA regulations; therefore, only aggregate and de-identified data will be stored by the ABFP. Furthermore, an electronic key will be provided to Diplomates when they begin Part IV of MC-FP that will allow only Diplomates to open and enter their PPMs. The ABFP will have no access to the data submitted by the individual physicians, thereby obviating risk for disclosure.
Q: What does the ABFP do with the feedback it receives from its Diplomates?
A: First, it is critical in the evolution of the MC-FP process to receive feedback from the Diplomates. The ABFP uses this feedback continually to improve the components of the MC-FP. For example, as a result of the excellent feedback to date, 6 major structural changes have been made to the SAMs.
Q: Our annual state chapter meeting is in the fall. What steps do we follow to invite someone from the ABFP to address our members?
A: A number of members of the ABFP Board of Directors, executive staff, and volunteers look forward to the opportunity to participate in state chapter meetings. We have participated in more than 10 meetings to date and have 7 scheduled for the future. If you believe it would be helpful to have someone participate at your state chapter meeting, call 1-888-995-5700, ext. 281.
Q: What are others saying about the MC-FP?
A: “The American Board of Family Practice (ABFP) is to be commended for its move from recertification to Maintenance of Certification as a measure of the competence of individual physicians. In addition to verification of physician credentials, the new Maintenance of Certification process requires self-assessment using validated, Web-based instruments and patient simulation; a computer-based version of the traditional cognitive examination; and evidence of continuous practice improvement. Physicians will be expected to demonstrate improved patient care through implementation of evidence-based guidelines, meeting benchmarks, measuring quality, and improving patient outcomes. This process will be an essential part of the lifelong assessment of family physicians.”1
Q: When do I enter the MC-FP?
A: Table 1⇓ details the recertification schedule that has been in existence for 30 years.
Recertification Schedule
We encourage all Diplomates to use the help resources available at http://www.abfp.org and/or call the Help Desk at 1-877-223-7437. These tools are designed to help you successfully complete the MC-FP process.
- © 2004 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
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