The Evidence Supporting Why MOC Matters

ABIM Blog (07/19/22)

Studies conducted by researchers from the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education, and the Mayo Clinic confirm the value of maintenance of certification (MOC). They associated MOC with fewer major diagnostic errors correlating to hospitalization and mortality; fewer potentially hazardous prescriptions prescribed to older adults; fewer opioid prescriptions presenting a high addictive risk; and reduced in-hospital mortality for patients with acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure. A white paper details another study series describing a theoretical framework of continuing assessment of clinicians' clinical knowledge. The review underscored the importance for keeping their knowledge updated in terms of cognitive skill, the insufficiency of self-assessment, learning and retention enhancement, and motivation by goals and consequences. "[American Board of Medical Specialties] member boards are offering assessment formats that are different from a single point-in-time, high-stakes assessment in that they are more frequent, learner-engaged assessments, like the [American Board of Internal Medicine's] Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment," said white paper co-author Rebecca Lipner, PhD. "This is a paradigm that blends assessment and learning with a focus on partnering with physicians to improve over time and put what they've learned into practice."

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