PAMED's MOC Statement of Principles

Last Updated: Feb 24, 2023

• PAMED is committed to lifelong learning, cognitive expertise, practice quality improvement, and adherence to the highest standards of medical practice.
• PAMED supports a process of continuous learning and improvement based on evidence-based guidelines, national standards, and best practices, in combination with customized continuing education.
• The MOC process should be designed to identify performance gaps and unmet needs, providing direction and guidance for improvement in physician performance and delivery of care.
• The MOC process should be evaluated periodically to measure physician satisfaction, knowledge uptake and intent to maintain or change practice.
• Board certificates should have lifetime status, with MOC used as a tool for continuous improvement.
• The MOC program should not be associated with hospital privileges, insurance reimbursements or network participation.
• The MOC program should not be required for Maintenance of Licensure (MOL).
• Specialty boards, which develop MOC standards, may approve curriculum, but should be independent from entities designing and delivering that curriculum, and should have no financial interest in the process.
• A majority of specialty board members who are involved with the MOC program should be actively practicing physicians directly engaged in patient care.
• MOC activities and measurement should be relevant to real world clinical practice.
• The MOC process should not be cost prohibitive or present barriers to patient care.