MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
Starting in January 2008, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) replaced its Recertification process with Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process. MOC is intended to give the public assurance that certified specialty physicians are maintaining high standards of clinical care throughout their career. For that reason, the Board requires that all Diplomates, including those who were certified before 1976 and hold life-time certificates, participate in MOC. The only exception is for those Diplomates who have notified the Board of their retirement and/or disability.
The ABTS MOC process is based on a ten-year cycle with a fifth year benchmark that Diplomates need to meet. During the fifth year, verification of licensure and hospital credentialing will be required. In addition, Diplomates are expected to take and complete the SESATS exercise. By the tenth year, Diplomates are expected take and pass a secured exam. In addition, Diplomates will need to provide documentation of practice improvement and references, along with verification of licensure and hospital credentialing.
A summary of the four MOC components can be found below and specific MOC requirements for each Diplomate based on certificate year can be found in the right-hand column box on this page.
Part I - Professional Standing
Diplomates must hold a currently valid, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine. Diplomates must provide documentation of privileges at a hospital(s) accredited by the JCAHO or other institutions judged acceptable by the Board. Diplomates must also submit letter(s) of reference documenting their level of clinical activity and stature within the surgical community from one or more responsible members on staff at their principle hospital.
Part II - Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
Diplomates must complete 150 hours of AMA Category I CME over each 5 year period (an average of 30 hours per year). Half of the CME (75 hours) need to be in the broad category of cardiothoracic surgery. In addition, each Diplomate must complete the SESATS exercise during the fifth year of their MOC cycle.
Part III - Cognitive Expertise
Diplomates must take and pass a secure, comprehensive written examination that will test fundamental and practice-related knowledge. Diplomates may take the exam starting in the eighth year but must pass it by their tenth year. The content of these exams will be derived from recent editions of SESATS and will include all areas of thoracic surgery.
Part IV - Evaluation of Performance in Practice
Diplomates who want to maintain their Certified-Active Status must complete Part (IV) of MOC; however, Diplomates on Certified-Inactive Status do not need to complete this component.
A. Peer Evaluation - Starting in 2012, Diplomates must submit four evaulations from physicians familiar with their practice.
B. Outcome Data - Diplomates must complete a case summary of their most recent 100 major cases. Diplomates must also provide the name of the clinical outcome database that they use to improve their practice. If none, the Board requires Diplomates to participate in the free Professional Portfolio on CTSNet's web site (www.ctsnet.org).