Dr. Kimball explained that the changes were designed to more closely tie certification to the national focus on improving quality. Yet critics charge that in staking out such broad territory, the ABIM has moved into areas already covered by other national and local accrediting agencies. E. Rodney Hornbake III, FACP, a member of the College's Education Committee and senior vice president and chief medical officer of Gentiva Health Services in Melville, N.Y., said that physician performance is already being measured by health plans, Medicare and, in many cases, group practices or independent practice associations. In response to the charge that such measures are duplicative for many physicians, the ABIM's Dr. Kimball said that the board is willing to accept data from other sources as long as they measure the same elements. Board officials said they will also allow other organizations to incorporate elements of the SEP modules into their own educational programs to help internists avoid duplication of efforts.
Critics point out what they see as other flaws in the new process.
Some wonder why none of the required elements give credit for continuing medical education, as CME seems an ideal indicator of maintaining competence. Others claim that involving patients in recertification may be intrusive. She noted that mandatory recertification involves some sense of loss of autonomy. The College has expressed concern about the new process. The College has formed a task force to address members' concerns about recertification.