In response to recent action by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) suspending the practice assessment, patient voice and patient safety requirements of maintenance of certification (MOC) for their diplomates for at least two years, AES recently sent a letter to the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) urging them to follow suit and eliminate Part IV of the MOC requirements for our diplomates. The letter cited the lack of evidence to support effectiveness of this requirement in improving patient care. ABPN responded that as a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), they are unable to make any adjustments, unless ABMS changes their standards. Earlier this week, ABMS put out a statement supporting all four MOC requirements. For now, there will be no changes to the ABPN MOC requirements.
AES continues to support and encourage our physician members’ participation in the ABPN specialty certification in epilepsy. Since ABPN created the subspecialty certification, AES has developed and offered a self-assessment in epilepsy program that may be used for the ABPN MOC Part II.
AES will continue working with the ABPN on ways in which Part IV can be made more relevant and meaningful for diplomates and will monitor this issue.