Board certification conversation still going!

The conversation regarding the relationship between board certification and physician competence continues! I’ve received several more e-mails, so I thought I’d share what your colleagues have to say.

“I believe that expiration of board certification occurs for various reasons not related to competency. It seems ludicrous to assume that a practitioner’s competence diminishes if he/she does not recertify. The measure of true competence should not be confined to board certification, and in fact that runs contrary to CMS conditions of participation.”

~Jill Jourden, CPMSM
Medical Staff Administration
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital

 “My hospital established a board certification requirement in 2002. It requires all physicians to obtain board certification within five years of completing their residency or fellowship. All members, with few exceptions, are required to maintain board certification. When the bylaws amendment was created, a grandfather clause was included for those physicians who did not qualify for board certification. Most of those physicians have retired from staff by now. We’ve had a few physicians challenge the bylaws. One physician went as far of the state supreme court. We’ve had physicians who left the medical staff because they failed their board exams, allowed their certifications to lapse, or chose not to recertify at the end of their careers. All of these issues have been dealt with thoughtfully by the medical executive committee. At times, enforcement of the bylaws can be difficult, but consistency is the key.” 

~Anonymous

 “Board certification, within itself, does not prove physician competence. It is simply one measure, one tool if you will, to determine whether or not a physician is qualified to perform in a particular specialty. Other considerations such as training, experience, teaching, and continuing medical education should also be considered when evaluating a physician’s competence. Our medical group believes that board certification provides a unique and widely accepted measurable objective upon which to base decisions. We have mirrored our internal policy to that of surrounding hospital and insurance carrier partners.“  

~Sheri Wahl
Manager, provider credentialing and enrollment
UT Medical Group, Inc.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Keep the comments coming in!