Maintenance of certification: How to stay board certified by the American board of colon and rectal surgery

Abstract

Achieving board certification is a milestone in the life of a young surgeon. The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) Certifying Examination is considered the penultimate test of professional achievement for those who have completed an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) sanctioned general surgery and colorectal residencies followed by certification by the American Board of Surgery. The mission of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, incorporated as the American Board of Proctology in 1935, contemplates the establishment of standards and norms of knowledge by which physicians in the field of colon and rectal surgery are specifically measured to ensure the safety of the American public. These standards and requirements have changed over the long life of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and staying current with requirements not only for achieving ABCRS certification, but for maintaining certification is important. The term “Maintenance of Certification” has recently been replaced by “Continuous Certification” and refers to a system of continuous assessment of common knowledge that every board certified colorectal surgeon should understand. In addition to demonstrating factual knowledge, a Board Certified colon and rectal surgeon should be able to demonstrate evidence of professionalism, provide evidence of commitment to lifelong learning, and demonstrate participation in activities that result in “practiced based improvement.” The purpose of this chapter is to specifically inform board certified colon and rectal surgeons of the procedures in place to stay certified. A brief history of board certification and data from other specialties on the impact of continuing certification is useful for context and provided.