Maintenance of Certification (MOC) encourages board-certified ophthalmologists to advance their excellence in knowledge, skills, and practice. Activities adhere to a structured, four-part framework developed by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): 1) Professionalism & Professional Standing; 2) Lifelong Learning & Self-Assessment; 3) Assessment of Knowledge, Judgment, & Skills, and 4) Improvement in Medical Practice.
For ophthalmologists, this means completing the following four components:
Possess a valid and unrestricted medical license. How? Keep your license information up to date in your diplomate record using your Status Page.
Engage in lifelong learning activities. How? Attest once every two years that you’ve earned an average of 25 CME credits annually, including 8 credits involving self-assessment.* At least one activity should focus on patient safety.** Diplomates certified or recertified prior to 2012 will attest once to a 10-year total of 250 CME credits.
Participate in an assessment program. How? With the new Quarterly Questions program, essential ophthalmic knowledge questions are delivered to you in a convenient, online format. You’ll receive instant feedback on your performance and links for further reading. After 2018, the DOCK Examination will no longer be offered.
Reflect on your patient care processes and outcomes. How? Choose an improvement activity from a menu of options twice in 10 years.*** Perhaps you’re using the AAO IRIS® Registry and you’d like to turn your data into a quality improvement study. Or you might work at an institution that facilitates large-scale multi-specialty improvement projects. You could also choose to create your own project or select a more structured, online diagnosis-based module. You are encouraged to choose the best option for you and your practice.
For help getting started, contact moc@abop.org.
* Eight credits of self-assessment are encouraged for all diplomates and required for physicians certified or recertified as of 2012.
** A patient safety activity is a requirement for physicians certified or recertified as of 2012.
*** Physicians certified or recertified prior to 2012 are encouraged to complete two improvement activities, but must complete one.