Instead, the commission recommends that ABMS “move quickly to formative assessment formats that are not characterized by high-stakes summative outcomes (pass/fail), specified time frames for high-stakes assessment, or require burdensome testing formats (such as testing centers or remote proctoring) that are inconsistent with the desired goals for continuing certification – support learning; identify knowledge and skills gaps; and help diplomates stay current.”
The commission also defined how the certification process should be used by other stakeholders.
“ABMS must demonstrate and communicate that continuing certification has value, meaning, and purpose in the health care environment,” the report states. “Hospitals, health systems, payers, and other health care organizations can independently decide what factors are used in credentialing and privileging decisions. ABMS must inform these organizations that continuing certification should not be the only criterion used in these decisions, and these organizations should use a wide portfolio of criteria in these decisions. ABMS must encourage hospitals, health systems, payers, and other health care organizations to not deny credentialing or privileging to a physician solely on the basis of certification status.”
Additionally, the commission report states that “ABMS and the ABMS Boards should collaborate with specialty societies, the [continuing medical education/continuing professional development] community, and other expert stakeholders to develop the infrastructure to support learning activities that produce data-driven advances in clinical practice. The ABMS Boards must ensure that their continuing certification programs recognize and document participation in a wide range of quality assessment activities in which diplomates already engage.”
The report adds that the boards “should readily accept existing activities that diplomates are doing to advance their clinical practice and to provide credit for performing low-resource, high-impact activities as part of their daily practice routine.”