MOC does ask too much of us “workhorses”

“MAINTAINING OUR COOL WITH MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION” BY ROBERT L. BARBIERI, MD (EDITORIAL, FEBRUARY) LETTER IN REPLY BY DAVID SHOBIN, MD (JUNE)

I agree with Dr. Shobin that ObGyns are the workhorses of the medical profession, but I disagree with his positive opinion of Maintenance of Certification.

I have been taking the ABC exams for years to retain my board certification. Used to be, that was good enough. In addition, I read multiple journals monthly, view articles from drug company reps, and attend CME meetings and courses.

Now, suddenly, even that isn’t sufficient—unless of course, you are old enough to be grandfathered and don’t have to do anything to keep your board certification. I find it ironic that those older docs are, in some cases, the ones who should most be required to renew their certificate. (Disclosure: I am 50 years old.)

The new hoops we’re supposed to jump through are ridiculous. I predict that many docs will give up their certification as a result of MOC.

Scott Peters, MD
Oak Ridge, Tenn