Kaitlyn D’Onofrio

DocwireNews

The majority of rheumatologists in the United States do not see the value in maintenance of certification programs (MOC), according to a survey.A total of 3,107 rheumatologists received the questionnaire, of which 515 responded. The majority of respondents (74.8%) said they see &ldquo;no significant value in MOC, beyond what is already achieved from Continuing Medical Education,&rdquo; the study authors wrote.While 65.6% of respondents said MOC helps keep rheumatologists on track with the latest research, a similar percentage (63.5%) believe MOC does not contribute to valuable patient care; in fact, about three-quarters (74.6%) said MOC takes time away from patient care, and 74% said it takes away time from family. Speaking about the purpose of MOC, 43.4% said MOC serves to financially benefit board certifying organizations, while 30% believe it exists to quell health system administrative requirements. Most rheumatologists (77.7%) believe MOC requirements will lead to physician burnout, 67.4% predict it will result in more early retirements, and 63.9% think the number of practicing rheumatologists will decline.There is no prior research to indicate that MOC-participating rheumatologists provide more quality care, the study authors noted.&ldquo;If participation in MOC indeed does not have a significant value on improving patient care in rheumatology, as indicated by the perception of practicing rheumatologists, and if it remains a requirement to practice for at least over a third of rheumatologists in the United States, then an argument can be made that elimination of MOC might be a way to sustain and improve the rheumatology workforce without compromising quality,&rdquo; the researchers wrote. &ldquo;To our knowledge, there have not been any studies to show that rheumatologists participating in MOC activities provide better care.&rdquo;The authors also called the respondents&rsquo; feelings toward board certifying organizations &ldquo;striking.&rdquo;&ldquo;When asked to rank in order what is thought to be the reason for creating MOC programs, financial well-being of board-certifying organizations was the highest ranked answer,&rdquo; the researchers wrote. &ldquo;Improving patient care, which is the motive claimed by board-certifying organizations, was the least likely ranked answer.&rdquo;The results call for a closer look at the relationship between these organizations and practicing rheumatologists, the authors said.&ldquo;Regardless of what the motive might be, these results suggest that practicing physicians, and in this case rheumatologists, do not trust board-certifying organizations,&rdquo; according to the researchers.<a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/rheumatology/a-larger-cost-to-rheumatologists/">A Larger Cost to Rheumatologists</a><a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/rheumatology/working-with-specialists-cant-we-all-just-get-along/">Working With Specialists: Can&rsquo;t We All Just Get Along?</a><a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/conference-coverage/acr-conference-coverage/">American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting Coverage</a><a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/abstracts/rheumatology-abstracts/guideline-treatment-psoriatic-arthritis/">2018 American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation Guideline for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis</a>Sources: <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acr.23823">Arthritis Care &amp; Research</a>, <a href="https://www.mdedge.com/rheumatology/article/191857/business-medicine/rheumatologists-see-little-value-moc">Rheumatology News</a>

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Most Rheumatologists See No Value in MOC

Rheumatology

The majority of rheumatologists in the United States do not see the value in maintenance of certification programs (MOC), according to a survey. ...

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