 The Board has created a program called the "Maintenance of Certification Program for Family Physicians" (MC-FP) which will require family physicians to continuously demonstrate proficiency in four areas of clinical practice: professionalism, self-assessment/lifelong learning, cognitive expertise, and performance in practice.  Three hundred hours of continuing medical education within the prior six years is also required to be eligible to sit for the exam.
(meta data) TITLE:  ABFM | Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) 81 captures 08 Aug 2007 - 06 Oct 2022 About this capture COLLECTED BY Organization: Internet Archive The Internet Archive discovers and captures web pages through many different web crawls. At any given time several distinct crawls are running, some for months, and some every day or longer. View the web archive through the Wayback Machine. Collection: Wide Crawl started October 2010 Web wide crawl with initial seedlist and crawler configuration from October 2010 The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20110103144252/https://www.theabfm.org/moc/index.aspx Support Center Contact Us Site Map Change text size: ++ Search our site: Certification/Recertification Exam Maintenance of Certification Certificates of Added Qualifications Residency Training Find a Physician Home > Maintenance of Certification ### Maintenance of Certification OverviewPart I—ProfessionalismPart II—Self-Assessment and Lifelong LearningPart III—Cognitive ExpertisePart IV—Performance in Practice #### Recognition of Focused Practice in Hospital Medicine Information and Application materials: # Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) is the process that provides the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) with the means to continually assess Diplomates. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), sensing growing and repeated threats from outside the medical field, determined that ABMS specialists within every discipline should be required to meet the highest standards of accountability. In response, the ABMS designed a process called Maintenance of Certification, and each specialty board within the ABMS agreed to adhere to a set structure in developing their individual programs. This structure consists of four components, each designed to assess important physician characteristics: professionalism (Part I), self-assessment and lifelong learning (Part II), cognitive expertise (Part III), and performance in practice (Part IV). Although these elements are similar to and consistent with the ABFM's long-standing recertification program, MC-FP stresses the importance of ongoing participation in activities that evaluate each of these components between recertification examinations. MC-FP is a requirement that the ABFM believes encourages clinical excellence and benefits both physicians and their patients. The ABFM's roll-out of MC-FP was designed to gradually transition all Diplomates into the program by 2010, enrolling all physicians who certify or recertify as they successfully pass the examination. The first group entered MC-FP in 2004 and was comprised of those physicians who certified or recertified in 2003. The last group entered the program in 2010 and was comprised of those physicians who certified or recertified in 2009. Under the current MC-FP program, each certified Diplomate must successfully complete a series of modules in three separate 3-year windows, called "stages." Completing these requirements in a timely manner within the first two stages will allow Diplomates to extend the life of their certificate from 7 to 10 years. If a Diplomate is unable or chooses NOT to meet the requirements of Stage One and/or Stage Two, the 7-year certificate remains valid, but six Part II modules and one Part IV module must be successfully completed within the 7 years preceding the Part III cognitive examination. To be considered current in MC-FP on the 7-year cycle, a Diplomate must complete one module per year. In addition to completing the modules, Diplomates are required to maintain a valid, full, and unrestricted license and to earn 300 credit hours of CME during the 6 years prior to the cognitive examination. The requirements for Stage OneCompletion of three Part II modules (Self-Assessment Modules [SAMs]) OR two Part II modules and one Part IV module (Performance in Practice Module [PPM] or Methods in Medicine Module [MIMM], or approved Part IV module developed by an outside vendor). Any Diplomate who has not yet entered MC-FP will do so after their next successful rectification. At that time, they will be eligible to earn a 3-year extension to their certificate. The requirements for Stages Two and ThreeCompletion of two Part II modules (SAMs) and one Part IV module (PPM or MIMM, or approved Part IV module developed by an outside vendor). Upon successful completion of Stage Two—after the sixth year—the Diplomate will be granted a 3-year extension to the 7-year certificate. Diplomates may apply for the recertification examination in either the ninth or tenth year of their certification cycle. However, all Stage Three requirements must be complete to be eligible for the examination. If a Diplomate is unable or chooses not to meet the requirements of Stage One and/or Stage Two, the 7-year certificate remains valid, but six Part II modules and one Part IV module must be successfully completed in the 7 years preceding the Part III cognitive examination. To be considered current in MC-FP on the 7-year cycle, a Diplomate must complete one module per year. Modules in each 3-year stage can be completed at the Diplomate's own pace. Only three modules can be completed in any given stage for MC-FP credit. It is not necessary to notify the ABFM of the intention to pursue the 10-year certificate. We will monitor MC-FP progress and send reminders to Diplomates to complete certain requirements before each stage deadline passes. NOTE: Diplomates may access a full description of the MC-FP four main components, payment information, frequently asked questions, and their MC-FP Track Your Progress page by clicking on the appropriate link in the lower right panel of this screen. Diplomates also may access more information about how to pursue the 10-year certificate at mcfp.theabfm.org. #### Physician Login: Help! I forgot my password and/or account number ### FAQs Get the answers to frequently asked questions. ### Begin a Part II Module Log in to start a Part II module. ### Begin a Part IV Module Log in to start a Part IV module. ### Track Your Progress Log in to view and maintain your record.
train41827
Family medicine
Family medicine in the United States.:Education and training.
Their residency training includes rotations in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics-gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, emergency medicine, and geriatrics.  Residents also must provide care for a panel of continuity patients in an outpatient "model practice" for the entire period of residency. The specialty focuses on treating the whole person, acknowledging the effects of all outside influences, through all stages of life.   Family physicians will see anyone with any problem, but are experts in common problems.  Many family physicians deliver babies in addition to taking care of patients of all ages.
 In order to become board certified, family physicians must complete a residency in family medicine, possess a full and unrestricted medical license, and take a written cognitive examination.   Between 2003 and 2009, the process for maintenance of board certification in family medicine is being changed (as well as all other American Specialty Boards) to a series of yearly tests on differing areas.  The American Board of Family Medicine, as well as other specialty boards, are requiring additional participation in continuous learning and self-assessment to enhance clinical knowledge, expertise and skills.