The program for maintenance of certification in pediatrics® (PMCP)™

Abstract

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) has initiated a new process of recertification called Maintenance of Certification. Maintenance of certification embraces a different philosophical premise than that of traditional recertification. The traditional recertification process focused only on one physician competence—knowledge of the specialty—and assessed that knowledge only periodically (eg, once every 7 or 10 years). Maintenance of certification recognizes that there are several essential competencies involved in delivering quality care that extend beyond medical knowledge, and that these competencies should be developed and maintained throughout one’s career. The new maintenance of certification process is designed to evaluate, on a continual basis, the essential competencies deemed necessary for general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists to deliver quality care with an emphasis on continual learning and practice improvement.