Letters to the editor
New Twist on License Renewal
Since Minnesota Medicine published its article on specialty board recertification (November 2010, p. 24), the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (BMP) has adopted a new policy regarding the requirements for renewal of a medical license in the state. In March of this year, the BMP decided that if a physician is participating in Maintenance of Certification required by their certifying American Board of Medical Specialties or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada board, or Osteopathic Continuous Certification required by the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, it should satisfy their continuing medical education requirements for renewal of licensure in Minnesota. Below is an excerpt from the BMP’s official statement.
Mark Eggen, M.D.
Board member, Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
The Board of Medical Practice has authority to accept and, indeed, has accepted certification or recertification by a specialty board in lieu of compliance with the continuing medical education (CME) requirements during the cycle in which certification or recertification is granted. Minn. Rule 5605.0700 gives the Board authority to do so. The Board recognizes that lifelong learning is important to keep up to date medical knowledge and skills. Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is available to physicians certified by American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), regardless of whether their certificates are time-limited. Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) is available to osteopathic physicians certified by the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, regardless of whether their certificates are time-limited. Government payers, private insurers, and the public want assurance that physicians have current knowledge and skills. In light of MOC and OCC, the Board has revisited the issue to determine whether MOC and OCC would be acceptable as meeting the rule requirements and has determined that it does. Physicians may need to do CME for reasons other than licensure.
Superb Issue
The January issue of Minnesota Medicine, which addressed the issue of burnout, was superb. Like those mentioned in your article “Scaling Back” (p. 12), I too am now working part time. For a variety of reasons, in August I cut my schedule back to three days a week. Keep up the great work.
Paul Waytz, M.D.
Rheumatologist, Edina
World-Class Act
Lest I be accused of nepotism, I will refrain from commenting on the specifics of Dr. David Farley’s fine article “A Well-Oiled Machine” (January, p. 32 ), but I think a more appropriate title would be “Coolness under Fire.” Also, it failed to mention that outstanding aspect of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, which is a ready cooperative attitude among world-class specialists. This is hard to quantify, but it exists there and should be lauded.
Harrison H. Farley, M.D.
Retired surgeon, St. Paul