The archived presentation of the ABOG webcast on the new requirements for Maintenance of Certification is now available. All board certified obstetrician-gynecologists who have time-limited certificates should access this information.

Larry C. Gilstrap III, MD, ABOG Director of Evaluation, discusses the new maintenance of certification requirements which become effective January 1, 2008.

To access this archived webcast, participants need a computer with Internet access and speakers.

Click the link below to access the archive. If you have previously registered, use the already registered box at the top of the screen and enter your email address. If you have not yet registered, complete the information requested.

the archive.

Title:                             ABOG Maintenance of Certification

Presenter:                     Larry C. Gilstrap III, MD

                                    ABOG Director of Evaluation

Questions for the Board can be phoned in to the ABOG Maintenance of Certification office at 214-721-7510 or sent by email to Dr. Gilstrap at lgilstrap@abog.org.

Download a copy of the Dr. Gilstrap's slides from: ABOG MoC

Summary:

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is an ABOG program. ACOG offered to jointly develop Part 4 of MOC so that we could provide the program free for Fellows and ensure that practicing physicians developed the chart review modules.

First of all, you will need to determine when your current certificate expires. If your current certificate expires 12/31/08, then you will need to enroll in MOC this year. You can register by 2/28/08 without late fees. If your current certificate expires in 2009 or beyond, you do not have to do anything for MOC in 2008. You can voluntarily do part of MOC (the ABC article reviews) for CME credit, but it will not extend your current certificate expiration date.

MOC is a 4-part program that is based on a 6-year cycle. Once one 6-year cycle ends, another 6-year cycle begins.

Part 1: ABOG will review your license annually when you register for MOC.

Part 2: Lifetime Education (ABC articles and questions). Three times a year, ABOG will post an article list and related questions on their website. You must answer 120 of the 180 questions annually. Answers are submitted online. This must be completed annually. You will earn 25 CME credits.

Part 3: A written exam must be passed once each 6-year cycle. ABOG still considers this part of MOC a "work in progress." The exam will be offered for the first time in 2012 at testing centers throughout the US. ABOG and ACOG are also discussing the possibility of offering the exam at the ACOG Annual Clinical Meeting.

Part 4: The Road to Maintaining Excellence - the joint ABOG/ACOG portion of MOC. This is a diagnosis-specific chart review. Currently there are about 50 modules from which to choose.You must complete 10 modules in 6 years. It is up to you how you want to time this and what topics you want to work on. It is recommended that you begin part 4 no later than year 3 of your 6-year cycle. The modules are available online. Each module involves a short introduction, optional literature, and ~3-4 yes/no questions per chart. It is the same yes/no questions for each chart. You can either pull past charts or set aside charts with that diagnosis as you see them. No patient-specific information is entered and you do not mail your charts in for anyone else to review. ACOG is continually developing new modules. Please email Megan McReynolds  if you have any ideas for modules you would find helpful.

You can register for MOC at www.abog.org. Click on the "Member Login" icon in the upper right hand corner. If you do not have your ABOG ID or password, click the "Request ID" button. This will lead you through some prompts to establish your password. Once you log in, there is an application for MOC part II ABC on the "Applications" icon. This application will enroll you in all of MOC. Twenty four hours after submitting your application online, there will be a link to your application on the "Status" icon. This link will bring up a page directing you to the ABC articles and questions and the Road to Maintaining Excellence program.

If you have any questions about when and how to apply for MOC, please call the ABOG MOC office at 214-721-7510, 7am to 430pm CST.

If you have any questions on the Part 4- Road to Maintaining Excellence program, please email Megan McReynolds  or phone 202-863-2545.