On 12 Feb 2019, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Vision Commission created 25 September 2017, issued its Final Report to the ABMS Board of Directors on its controversial and very lucrative “continuous certification” programs.
Not surprisingly, the self-appointed Commission thumbed its nose at the overwhelming majority (88%) of US physicians who find no value to continuous certification, and instead relied on testimony of many ABMS Boards, members of the ACGME including the Association of American Medical Colleges, the National Board of Medical Examiners, “psychometricians,” ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsors, eight (of 50) state medical associations, five subspecialty societies (Anesthesiology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics), consumer groups like (AARP-funded by UnitedHealthcare, the conflicted Consumer Reports, and the problematic Leapfrog Group). Nowhere was the possibility of ending continuous certification ever discussed or considered.
In the end, this was the conclusion from 17 months of testimony for ABMS Vision Commission:
“The Commission thanks the presenters who came and provided valuable testimony about their perspectives of continuing certification. The information will inform the next steps of the process. What is clear is the majority of the presenters recognize the necessity of lifelong learning. While they appreciate the innovation and engagement of the Boards as changes are made to continuing certification programs, they look forward to seeing how the programs continue to evolve. All are interested in being part of the future of continuous certification.”
In other words, grifters will always be grifters.
-Wes
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