Many physicians believe that changes to maintaining certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and their subspecialty boards do not provide optimal use of physician’s educational time and increase the cost of health care. Furthermore, no high quality data exist to justify these labor intensive and expensive activities.  

There are 4 civil suits in process that also question antitrust violations when only one board is accepted at a hospital, thus restricting trade of physicians who do not chose to participate in the ABMS' "voluntary" maintenance of certification and which are not required for licensure.

We believe the hospitals in RI should accept an alternative board certifying entity, one that is free of financial conflicts of interest. 

The National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS) believes in life-long learning and the value of Continuing Medical Education (CME).

Organizations providing recognized CME programs are regulated by a rigorous accreditation body (ACCME) requiring each CME offering provides an educational gap analysis, “needs assessment,” speaker conflict of interest, course evaluations and many other performance standards. CME can provide education in both established knowledge and also future directions that keep the physician on the “cutting edge.” CME offerings are highly competitive and provide choice. There are numerous organizations offering high value CME activities. If physicians do not perceive value in a particular CME offering, they will go elsewhere, so competition ensures quality. Additionally, most states require CME activities to maintain licensure. Therefore, using CME to fulfill life-long learning requirements provides efficiency and minimizes redundant activities.

The NBPAS Board Members are physicians who value patient care, research, and life-long learning. Board members believe continuous physician education is required for excellence in patient care.  The current Board of Directors include a prestigious group of volunteer physicians which is listed on their website: https://nbpas.org/

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:

MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION - IMPORTANT AND TO WHOM? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3716034/

BOARDED TO DEATH — WHY MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION IS BAD FOR DOCTORS AND PATIENTS  http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1407422

AAPS BRINGS MOC TO COURT http://www.aapsonline.org/index.php/site/article/aaps_takes_moc_to_court/

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PHYSICIAN TIME-UNLIMITED VS TIME-LIMITED INTERNAL BOARD CERTIFICATION AND AMBULATORY PATIENT CARE QUALITY http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2020370 ;

THE UGLY CIVIL WAR IN AMERICAN MEDICINE  http://www.newsweek.com/2015/03/27/ugly-civil-war-american-medicine-312662.html

5. A CERTIFIED MEDICAL CONTROVERSY

http://www.newsweek.com/certified-medical-controversy-320495