ABPath and MOC

[lipomas]

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Did you know that the ABPath requires you to have your email on file with them in order for YOU to receive necessary information about MOC? I guess, if you don't provide them with this, you are screwed and they would just let your board certification expire (since they have already been so forthcoming about the whole process). Shouldn't the boards be a little more proactive on this front, especially considering all the money we pay them?

If they don't have your current email, you have to fax in a form. At least I hope you can fax in the form. ABPath has so many stupid regulations and rules about when/who/if/how you can contact that God knows if anything ever gets through to them. Do not call. Don't contact us about this. Don't contact us about this. Check the FAQ. Check the booklet of information. Are other specialty boards this obtuse? I know personally that my email changed after I finished residency. I didn't think I would have to tell abpath since one would think they would use US MAIL and they have never ever sent me an email anyway! I wasn't even sure they had computers there!

All of this, by the way, and they still haven't really defined the rules for obtaining and submitting MOC. I am starting to think that one of the "Frequently asked questions" on their website should be:

Why are you guys so dumb?
We are not dumb, but we are lazy and tone deaf. And we hold your professional license in our hands, so don't piss us off.

 

[yaah]

I am dreading the MOC stuff. I do not have high confidence that the process will be streamlined. My only comfort is that two years of diplomates have to go through it and work out the kinks before my turn comes up.

 

[sohsie]

Did you know that the ABPath requires you to have your email on file with them in order for YOU to receive necessary information about MOC? I guess, if you don't provide them with this, you are screwed and they would just let your board certification expire (since they have already been so forthcoming about the whole process). Shouldn't the boards be a little more proactive on this front, especially considering all the money we pay them?

If they don't have your current email, you have to fax in a form. At least I hope you can fax in the form. ABPath has so many stupid regulations and rules about when/who/if/how you can contact that God knows if anything ever gets through to them. Do not call. Don't contact us about this. Don't contact us about this. Check the FAQ. Check the booklet of information. Are other specialty boards this obtuse? I know personally that my email changed after I finished residency. I didn't think I would have to tell abpath since one would think they would use US MAIL and they have never ever sent me an email anyway! I wasn't even sure they had computers there!

All of this, by the way, and they still haven't really defined the rules for obtaining and submitting MOC. I am starting to think that one of the "Frequently asked questions" on their website should be:

Why are you guys so dumb?
We are not dumb, but we are lazy and tone deaf. And we hold your professional license in our hands, so don't piss us off.

To their credit, despite all of the "Do not call us" stuff they put on the website, I have found that the ABP does in fact respond to both Emails and phone calls about most topics and is usually very helpful. I think they put up the disclaimers as a precaution.

Im 2 years out from my AP/CP certification, so I have to go through MOC now. the website says that the info will be posted in November.

Off topic: Found out I passed dermpath boards this weekend. Woohoo!

 

[lipomas]

To their credit, despite all of the "Do not call us" stuff they put on the website, I have found that the ABP does in fact respond to both Emails and phone calls about most topics and is usually very helpful. I think they put up the disclaimers as a precaution.

Im 2 years out from my AP/CP certification, so I have to go through MOC now. the website says that the info will be posted in November.

Off topic: Found out I passed dermpath boards this weekend. Woohoo!

To be fair though, it is 2009. ABpath acts like it is 1996 and email/internet technology is just coming into vogue. I realize they are not deliberately trying to be unhelpful, and they will help those who are clearly in need of assistance. And I also realize that they are confronted with a neverending stream of ******* questions and phone calls (many in unintelligible english) about stuff that is explained thoroughly on the website. But ABPath should exist for (competent) pathologists and to help pathologists, not to serve as a barrier that one must get past even after you are certified.

 

[HbyHA]

To their credit, despite all of the "Do not call us" stuff they put on the website, I have found that the ABP does in fact respond to both Emails and phone calls about most topics and is usually very helpful. I think they put up the disclaimers as a precaution.

we have online applications this year and they apparently populated the database using our first year information. i decided to call the ABP about changing my name in the database, and expected it to take months and possibly screw up everything. not only did i get a call back within 30 mins (shocking), my e-mail request to change my name was replied to in about 10 mins AND my name was changed in the system.

now maybe the electronic application process means it won't take mooooonths to find out our test dates?

or maybe not🙄

 

[GeoLeoX]

Im 2 years out from my AP/CP certification, so I have to go through MOC now. the website says that the info will be posted in November.

You can relax a little bit at least about the Part II and IV of MOC, according to the ABPath:

"Participation in a fellowship during one full year of any two-year period will cover all Part II and Part IV requirements for that period."

http://www.abpath.org/MOCreq.htm#Part II

I'm in the same boat - boarded in 2008, worked 08-09, fellowship 09-10, so I am covered for at least those two years.

 

[lipomas]

Unless your fellowship is not ACGME accredited, right?

 

[GeoLeoX]

That's a good question. I don't know.

 

[DrBloodmoney]

You can relax a little bit at least about the Part II and IV of MOC, according to the ABPath:

"Participation in a fellowship during one full year of any two-year period will cover all Part II and Part IV requirements for that period."

http://www.abpath.org/MOCreq.htm#Part II

I'm in the same boat - boarded in 2008, worked 08-09, fellowship 09-10, so I am covered for at least those two years.

2008 diplomates don't have to send (read: submit to extortion) until Nov 2010.

 

[GeoLeoX]

2008 diplomates don't have to send (read: submit to extortion) until Nov 2010.

...where you will have to account for at least 35 Cat 1 CMEs of which at least 10 are SAMs per year for the past two year period. Which means that for those of who hit the jackpot in Summer 2008 we should already have accumulated 35 CMEs including 10 of SAMs for last year and working on the next set now. I know it's no big deal if you are at a residency program where CMEs fall off of trees, but for those who aren't...

 

[SLUsagar]

Unless your fellowship is not ACGME accredited, right?

any updates on this?? also, what if you just out of residency (no fellowship)? Does the 2 year rule still apply?

 

[GeoLeoX]

any updates on this?? also, what if you just out of residency (no fellowship)? Does the 2 year rule still apply?

To quote the ABP website (http://abpath.org/MOCIndex.htm):

Participation in a fellowship during one full year of any two-year period will cover all Part II and Part IV requirements for that period. If the fellowship is not accredited by the ACGME, the Designated Institutional Official must submit a letter to the ABP indicating that the fellowship is reviewed by the GME committee and meets institutional standards.

Part II is the CME. I am not sure what you are asking about the "2 year rule", but I do know that once you pass the boards that you must accrue 35 hrs/yr CME to be reported in two year intervals.

Read the ABPath website above, it has just about all the information you can get about MOC short of calling Betsy and asking.

 

[sohsie]

The ABP site now says that they won't post the MOC reporting form for 2007 diplomates (ie me) until Dec 1, 2009.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

Please check this page regularly for updates.
New information has been posted regarding the MOC Fee and approved providers of SAMs.
The MOC Reporting Form for 2007 diplomates will be posted December 1, 2009. Please do not submit any information until the form is posted.

 

[HbyHA]

we have online applications this year and they apparently populated the database using our first year information. i decided to call the ABP about changing my name in the database, and expected it to take months and possibly screw up everything. not only did i get a call back within 30 mins (shocking), my e-mail request to change my name was replied to in about 10 mins AND my name was changed in the system.

now maybe the electronic application process means it won't take mooooonths to find out our test dates?

or maybe not🙄

I take back everything nice i ever said. these people are *****s. they changed my marriage name BACK to my maiden name for some reason (only found out because they did the same thing to a co-resident)! This is AFTER they received my name change form and a copy of my married license. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BrainPathology]

Why do all of these problems surprise anyone? A bureaucrat, like anyone working for an organization that certifies anything for any arena is the paradigm obstructor. (or support staff at any state university where keeping your job isn't directly tied to your performance - has no one else seen this?) These sort of people are dead inside, realize they are not doing anything productive for society and in an (unconcious?) effort to sieze some sort of control over their surrounding environment begin to obstruct other people who DO contribute. In other words, the only way they see the world changing through their actions is to get in the way, slow someone down, and make it generally more difficult AND expensive AND more time consuming for someone to get work, treatment, diagnosis, reimbursment, or anything else done.

The ABP, ACGME, CMS, and many other organizations are filled nearly 100% with these types of people.

I'm SURE there are scattered examples of productive well meaning bureacrats who actually look at processes and determine productive ways to change or get out of the way. Unfortunately the other 10's of millions spoil it for these 14 people.

The APB and MOC is, right now, a necessary evil. Evil being the most important of those two words. Hopefully, someday someone will notice that doctors spend a LARGE amount of our time proving to non-doctors that we are qualified to be doctors, and it will change. My breath is not held at this point though.

 

[sohsie]

The ABP posted the MOC form for 2007 diplomates. Pretty straightforward. They have something about those with subspecialty certification tying it together with the primary certification. Not sure what to think about that.