Brief overview of the process of Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

Lifelong learning is not an option; it is a necessity.
—John E. Madewell, MD (1)

This is a brief overview of the process of Maintenance of Certification (MOC). For detailed, comprehensive, up-to-date information on MOC, please consult the best source: the American Board of Radiology at:

MOC is a continuous and comprehensive process that focuses on the improvement of practice by each physician and on the maintenance of the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to practice a diplomate's specialty and subspecialities. (1)

MOC is important to you, your patients, and your colleagues. By maintaining your certification, you show your support for continuous quality improvement in radiology. Our specialty is not alone—all the boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) have accepted MOC.

The MOC process is organized around four components developed by the ABMS member boards. For diagnostic radiology, the components and their requirements are:

• Professional Standing—A valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine in all states in which you hold active license.
• Lifelong Learning and Self-assessment—250 hours of CME over the 10-year cycle. Self-assessment requires that you complete 20 ABR-qualified self-assessment modules (SAMs) over the 10-year cycle. SAMs that are qualified for category 1 CME credit may meet the requirements for both lifelong learning credit and self-assessment.
• Cognitive Expertise—Here's something with which you are familiar: a proctored, secure, computer-based examination. The examination for maintenance of the primary certificate in diagnostic radiology will be available in 2010 and will consist of general and clinical content related to your SAMs and practice profile.
• Practice Performance—Focuses on practice improvements. The ABR is proposing that you select a minimum of one of five practice performance projects. The project will be evaluated three times in the 10-year MOC cycle. The project choices are clinical practice guidelines, patient safety/error reduction, double reading assessment, referring physician survey, and report turnaround time.

Using the above components as a guide, the ABMS defined six general competencies. You should pursue your specific professional development within the framework of these six competencies:

• Medical Knowledge: Know and critically evaluate current general and practice-specific medical information; understand and incorporate evidence-based decision-making.
• Patient Care: Improve performance skills…incorporate a synthesis of clinical data.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Communicate effectively with patients and families, other professionals, and team members; maintain comprehensive, legible medical records.
• Professionalism: Demonstrate self-awareness and knowledge of limits, high standards of ethical and moral behavior, reliability and responsibility, respect for patient dignity and autonomy.
• Practice-based Learning and Improvement: Improve knowledge and skills through continuous learning; analyze your practice to recognize strengths and deficiencies; seek input to improve practice and quality care.
• Systems-Based Practice: Promote patient safety within the system; provide value for patients through cost-effective care; promote health and prevention of disease and injury; demonstrate effective practice management.

If you are a time-limited certificate holder, you are automatically enrolled.

If you are a lifetime certificate holder, you are encouraged to participate-visit the ABR website and complete an enrollment form.

RSNA offers live courses, online courses, self-assessment modules, and other educational resources, as well as a database to help you keep track of your CME credit and document what you've accumulated:

• CME Gateway: enter, view, generate reports of the CME credit you've earned.
• CME Credit Opportunities: the RSNA meeting, special courses outside of the RSNA meeting, RadioGraphics articles with the CME option (in print and online), online refresher courses to assist you with the component of "Lifelong Learning."
• MOC Registry: notifications regarding the MOC process and updates on the availability of member resources and tools.
• Self-Assessment Modules: ABR-qualified SAMS also available for category 1 CME credit to help you with the component of "Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment."
• Subspecialty Content Codes: all educational resources, enduring and live, are coded by a consistent system of subspecialty content codes to enable you to find the specific learning resources you need and document your subspecialty education for the ABR.

Visit the Education Portal at www.RSNA.org for the latest information on how RSNA can assist you with MOC!

References

Madewell JE. Lifelong learning and the maintenance of certification. J AM Coll Radiol 2004; 1:199–203.

Madewell JE, Hattery RR, Thomas SR, Kun LE, Becker GJ, Merritt C, Davis LW. American Board of Radiology: maintenance of certification. RadioGraphics 2005; 25:285–296.