Other new policies direct the AMA to work with the ABMS toward the following:
- Any assessment should be used to guide physicians’ self-directed continuing medical education study.
- Specific content-based feedback after any assessment should be provided to physicians in a timely manner.
- Multiple options should be available for how an assessment could be structured to accommodate different learning styles.
- Physicians need to know what their specific MOC requirements are and the timing around when they must complete those requirements. The policy directs the AMA to ask the ABMS and its member boards to develop a system to alert physicians to the due dates of the multi-stage requirements of MOC.
- Part III of the MOC exam, known as the high-stakes exam, should be streamlined and improved, and alternative formats explored.
We also co-sponsored Resolution 235 with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, AAAAI and Endocrine Society regarding the newly launched Interstate Medical Licensure Compact commission to clarify that the intent of the compact’s model legislation requiring that a physician “hold” specialty certification refers only to initial certification and not MOC. This was passed by the HOD.
We co-sponsored Resolution 505 along with the dermatology caucus members regarding the difficulties we often face obtaining coverage for our patients for off-label use of medications. The HOD amended current policies and resolved to advocate that the FDA work to establish a process whereby official drug labeling can be updated in a more expeditious fashion when new evidence becomes available affecting the clinical use of prescription medications and that evidence-based standards or peer-reviewed medical literature can add to legacy information contained in official drug labeling statements to guide drug administration and usage.
In another effort with the dermatology caucus, we sponsored Resolution 702 regarding access to in-office administered drugs. This strengthens AMA policy that we had previously brought forward regarding this issue. Rheumatologists leverage our advocacy efforts and dollars by using the significant resources the AMA brings to bear.
We have learned that AMA membership among ACR members has declined since 2012, and because our membership is now measured yearly, we lost our second delegate.
We can Advance Rheumatology! more forcefully and serve you and our patients better by having a larger voice at the AMA. We’re asking that rheumatologists who are not current members of the AMA join now for 2015 so rheumatology can keep our seat and remain involved in steering the direction of the AMA. Call the AMA at 800-262-3211. You can also contact ACR staff at [email protected] for assistance in becoming an AMA member or renewing your membership. If you are already an AMA member, make sure you have designated the ACR as your representative society.