(齐康网) We recently introduced improvements to the American Board ofFamily Medicine’s Maintenance of Certification Programfor Family Physicians (MC-FP). The most important new enhancementis the opportunity for Diplomates to extend their certificationperiod from 7 to 10 years by regularly completing MC-FP requirementsin a timely fashion. This major improvement in MC-FP will helpDiplomates keep up with rapid advances in medicine, while dulyrecognizing the achievement of full and timely participationin MC-FP. The FAQs below are intended to explain the requirementsof the 7-year vs the new 10-year certificate.
• CAN ANYONE EXTEND THEIR CERTIFICATE BY 3 YEARS?
Any Diplomate who has started Maintenance of Certification forFamily Physicians (MC-FP)—that is, any Diplomate who hascertified or recertified since 2003—may opt to extendtheir certification. Those Diplomates who have not yet enteredMC-FP will do so after they next recertify. At that time, theymay also choose the option to extend the certificate that theyreceive at that time. Anyone choosing to extend their certificatewill have to successfully complete a combination of modulesand meet the required deadlines for this process. The processhas been sectioned into 3-year stages with specific requirementsthat must be successfully completed by the end of each 3-yearstage. The requirements for each stage are the completion of2 Part II modules (currently the only available Part II modulesare the self-assessment modules) and 1 Part IV module (currentlythe only available Part IV modules are the Performance in PracticeModules and the METRIC modules produced by the AAFP).
• WHAT COMPRISES A SELF-ASSESSMENT MODULE (SAM)?
A self-assessment module (SAM) is comprised of the 60-questionknowledge assessment followed by a clinical simulation. TheSAMs are the modules which are required to successfully completePart II of Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians(MC-FP). There will be 6 different health topics to choose fromin 2006, with more added every year.
• WHAT COMPRISES A PERFORMANCE IN PRACTICE MODULE (PPM)?
A performance in practice module (PPM) is comprised of a qualityimprovement activity which takes course over a 3- to 6-monthperiod. The PPMs are the modules which are required to successfullycomplete Part IV of Maintenance of Certification for FamilyPhysicians (MC-FP). There will be 4 different health topicsto choose from in 2006, with more added every year.
• ARE THERE ANY OTHER MODULE OPTIONS?
We have established a process by which outside providers cansubmit Part II or Part IV modules to us for approval. Currently,only 1 such Part IV module has been approved and that is theMETRIC module as provided by the American Academy of FamilyPhysicians (AAFP).
• HOW DO I KNOW WHICH MODULES I NEED TO TAKE?
If you are currently in MC-FP and have chosen the option whichwill extend your current certificate by 3 years (essentiallycreating a 10-year certificate period from when you last recertified),the requirements are 2 Part II modules and 1 Part IV modulefor a total of 3 modules for each 3-year stage. You may completethese modules at your own pace, doing all in 1 year or 1 everyyear, but they all must be completed by the end of each 3-yearstage. A total of 3 stages, or 9 modules, must be completedduring the 10-year MC-FP cycle.
If you do not wish to choose the 3-year extension option, youwill stay in the current 7-year MC-FP cycle and will need tocomplete 6 Part II modules and 1 Part IV module. If you do choosethe 3-year extension option and fail to complete the requirementsnoted above for any stage, you will fall back into the original7-year MC-FP cycle.
If you are currently participating in the MC-FP program, youmay login to your Physician Portfolio and check the Track YourProgress page. This area keeps you informed as to what modulesyou have successfully completed and what you still need to completeto fulfill the requirements for each stage of MC-FP. For example,you may have completed 2 SAMs and now need to complete 1 PPMwhich will be indicated in the Track Your Progress panels. Rememberthat until the new MC-FP options are fully implemented in January2007, your progress in your Physician Portfolio will be basedupon the current 7-year MC-FP cycle.5017
• I AM NOT A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN. DO I STILL NEED TO PARTICIPATE?
Yes, physicians who are administrators or who practice in settingswhich do not allow them to complete a PPM or METRIC module (eg,urgent care or locum tenens) will still be required to participatein MC-FP. These Diplomates will elect to complete a differenttype of part IV activity. These options include a methods inmedicine module (MIMM) or the patient safety module (PSM). Thefirst MIMM will be on information management and will be availablein 2007. The PSM will come on line in 2008. ABFM will be addingmore MIMM options in the future which will accommodate theseDiplomates.
• ARE THE REQUIREMENTS THE SAME FOR EVERYONE?
In sum, the requirements are the same, however your pathwayto obtaining a 3-year extension will vary somewhat, in termsof the combination of different types of modules, dependingon whether or not you see patients in a clinical setting thatwill allow you to complete a PPM.
• I OBTAINED MY 7-YEAR CERTIFICATE IN 2003. HOW DO I EXTEND MY CERTIFICATE TO 2013 INSTEAD OF 2010?
You must hurry and complete all the requirements of the first3-year stage by the end of 2006 to remain eligible for the 3-yearcertificate extension. As an inaugural MC-FP participant, youmay choose to complete either 3 SAMs or 2 SAMs and 1 PPM foryour first 3-year stage to attain initial eligibility for certificateextension. This would be followed by 2 Part II modules and aPart IV module by 2009, and 2 more Part II modules and a PartIV module by 2013. You would then sit for your next examinationin 2013.
• I OBTAINED MY 7-YEAR CERTIFICATE IN 2004. HOW DO I EXTEND MY CERTIFICATE TO 2014 INSTEAD OF 2011?
You must complete all the requirements of the first 3-year stageby the end of 2007 to remain eligible for the 3-year certificateextension. You may choose to complete either 3 SAMs or 2 SAMsand 1 PPM for your first 3-year stage to attain initial eligibilityfor certificate extension. This would be followed by 2 PartII modules and a Part IV module by 2010, and 2 more Part IImodules and a Part IV module by 2014. You would then sit foryour next examination in 2014.
• I WILL BE RECERTIFYING IN 2007, 2008, OR 2009. CAN I EXTEND MY CURRENT CERTIFICATION PERIOD FOR 3 MORE YEARS?
Not until you take your next recertification exam. Only Diplomateswho have started MC-FP, that is, any Diplomate who has certifiedor recertified since 2003, may opt to extend their certification.Those Diplomates who have not yet entered MC-FP will do so afterthey next recertify. To clarify who is currently participatingin MC-FP, approximately one half of all Diplomates have startedMC-FP at this point (those Diplomates who certified or recertifiedin 2003, 2004, and 2005). The other half will start participatingin MC-FP soon (those Diplomates who will certify or recertifyin 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009), and may choose to extend theirnext certification period.
• IF I JUST WANT TO RETAIN OR QUALIFY FOR A 7-YEAR CERTIFICATE, DOES THAT MEAN I CAN DISPENSE WITH TAKING ANY MODULES?
No. Participation in MC-FP is still a requirement for eligibilityto sit for the recertification examination. That is not an elementof the program that has changed. You will still need to complete6 Part II modules (currently the SAMs) and 1 Part IV module(currently the PPMs or METRIC) prior to your next exam.
(文章出处：《家庭医学史册》)齐康网
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