AAPM&R worked in collaboration with our peer specialty societies via the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) to create a unified and strong response submitted July 8 to the American Board of Medical Specialties’ (ABMS) call for comments regarding the Draft Standards for Continuing Certification.

By working collaboratively with CMSS to create our comments, AAPM&R joins with 45-member specialty societies, and the estimated 800,000 U.S. physicians they represent to provide detailed feedback on the draft standards.   And our message was clear, the draft standards do not meet our expectations for a more meaningful, less arduous and less costly process.

We encourage you to review the full comments here. Highlights include urging ABMS in several key areas:

• Do not impose undue burden on practicing physicians, especially audit requirements that may disproportionately add burden for physicians in solo or small practices.
• Update draft standards to address the administrative burden and costs associated with multiple certifications.
• Ensure quality improvement (QI) components (i.e., Practice Improvement Projects) are voluntary, rather than mandatory requirements.
• Recommendations should support a flexible approach to improving practice activities addressed through personalized learning with attestation and credit for ongoing work.
• Ongoing and pilot programs should be required to assess the “effort and value” of these activities over time, including an assessment of the impact on physician learning and clinical outcomes, as well as administrative and financial burdens.

Reminder:

Since 2015, AAPM&R has been actively advocating for a more meaningful, less arduous and less costly process on your behalf to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR).

As shared by AAPM&R on April 26, 2021, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) opened a call for comment period regarding the Draft Standards for Continuing Certification.

At that time, the Academy encouraged all members to review this document and send any feedback directly to ABMS and/or ABPMR. AAPM&R also committed to reviewing and commenting in order to continue advocating for our members, in accordance with the AAPM&R Position Statement and the Board of Governors confirmed this position in their June statement.

Thank you to our members who provided direct feedback to ABMS and/or ABPMR. Your Academy will continue to advocate on your behalf. Learn more about our Maintenance of Certification^® advocacy efforts.