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J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2005;130:5-6
© 2005 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery

Editorial

Maintenance of Certification: A message from the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS)

Executive Director, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Chicago, Ill

Received for publication February 25, 2005; accepted for publication March 1, 2005.

^_* Address for reprints: William A. Gay, Jr, MD, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Queeny Tower, Suite 3108, 1 Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, St Louis, MO 63110 (Email: gayw@msnotes.wustl.edu).

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

Since 1976, all certificates issued by the ABTS have been valid for 10 years, after which time diplomates have been required to "recertify." It is gratifying that the recertification rate among ABTS diplomates has been nearly 100% over the years, many having recertified more than once. The recertification process of the ABTS, like that of many of the other American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) boards, has focused largely on assuring that the diplomate is, indeed, practicing the specialty, is appropriately licensed, and has participated in relevant continuing medical education, including participating in a standard self-assessment exercise (SESATS). In recent years considerable enthusiasm has arisen to elevate the recertification process in an effort to assure the public that board-certified specialists have remained current with evolving knowledge and technology, that their practices meet acceptable standards, and that they are recognized and respected as specialists by their patients and peers. It is in this setting that Maintenance of Certification (MOC) has evolved.

As one of the 24 member boards of the ABMS, the ABTS is required to develop a process for MOC that meets the standards set for all boards. This process, as it is envisioned by the ABTS, is outlined in the paragraphs that follow. Successful implementation will require the enthusiastic participation of all diplomates, thoracic surgery residents, the Residency Review Committee for Thoracic Surgery (RRC-TS), the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA), both of the thoracic surgery journals, . . . [Full Text of this Article]