Improvements for ABFM Maintenance of Certification Program and Changes to Journal
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《家庭医学史册》
Given the rapid changes in today’s practice of medicine, the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is fully committed to Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) as mandated by the American Board of Medical Specialties. MC-FP is critically important, not only for our discipline, but for the care of our patients. The assessment tools that have been created for MC-FP, and the timetable for their completion, together provide a more robust method for the ongoing evaluation of a Diplomate’s fitness for continuing certification when compared to our previous recertification process.
As part of the Board’s ongoing review of MC-FP, the ABFM Board of Directors approved additional program improvements at their October Board meeting that will enhance Diplomates’ participation in MC-FP. The new framework creates more options and greater flexibility for completing MC-FP, enabling Diplomates who are actively participating in the process to extend their original 7-year certificate by 3 years. In approving the changes for this program, the ABFM carefully considered Diplomates’ input regarding the most effective methods for enhancing participation.
This extension is dependent on continued and timely completion of Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) and Performance in Practice Modules (PPMs). Therefore, Diplomates who are currently participating in MC-FP should continue to complete present MC-FP requirements according to the schedule already published by the ABFM. The Board’s goal is to recognize the value of full and timely participation in MC-FP, further supporting Diplomates in keeping up with rapid advances in medicine and quality improvement.
During the past year, the Board has made 24 major improvements to streamline the MC-FP process, dramatically improving Diplomates’ ability to complete elements of the program efficiently. Since the implementation of MC-FP, the Board has sought feedback from Diplomates through multiple channels, including:
Information sessions at the AAFP Scientific Assembly in 2003, 2004 and 2005
Focus groups at the 2005 AAFP Scientific Assembly
Meetings with AAFP leadership
Visits to more than 30 AAFP state chapters
Review of on-line surveys linked to the SAMs
One-on-one discussions with a broad range of Diplomates, as well as e-mail exchanges and comments received via the ABFM Help Desk
The Board understands that Diplomates want options that will both support their participation and preserve the integrity of the process. We are committed to refining MC-FP to provide the best, most effective process for evaluating Diplomates’ certification status, while ensuring continuous learning and improvement in practice.
While the specific details of the new MC-FP program improvements are still being finalized, the Board nevertheless wanted to announce the approved changes as soon as practical in an effort to promote continued, valuable dialogue with its Diplomates. An announcement of the final details of the MC-FP program enhancements will be announced by ABFM through a variety of outlets in early 2006.
The American Board of Family Medicine also wishes to remind Diplomates of the examination dates for 2006. The application for the 2006 examinations is online at the ABFM Web site.
THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF FAMILY MEDICINE
Name Change
In January 2006, the Journal of the American Board of Family Practice changed its name to the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM). The journal Web site address is now.
Open-Access Electronic Journal
The JABFM is a free open-access journal. Six issues are published each year. Visit the Web site to search for articles of interest and to download free .pdf reprints of articles published from 2000 to the present.
Electronic Subscriptions
Free electronic subscriptions of the Journal are available to all. To subscribe and have the JABFM sent to your e-mail account, go to the Journal home page and sign up for "eTOCs" to receive the electronic Table of Contents with links to articles. These e-mail alerts are sent as soon as the current issue is posted online.
Hard Copy Print Subscriptions
Hard copy (printed) copies of the JABFM are available to paid subscribers. To subscribe to the printed JABFM, see the rate card posted on the Journal Web site.
Submitting Manuscripts
The JABFM uses the electronic Rapid Review software for manuscript submission and management. Authors submit their manuscripts via the portal on the Journal home page. Be sure to read the Instructions for Authors before submitting your work.
Recruiting Peer Reviewers
The JABFM is seeking new peer reviewers. Peer reviewing provides the opportunity for researchers to sharpen their writing and critical appraisal skills. If you are willing to serve as a peer reviewer, go to the Journal home page and print the form to volunteer as a reviewer. Fill out with your contact information and areas of expertise and then fax to the editorial office: 313-577-9282.
Using the Rapid Review system, peer reviewers are sent a link to the manuscripts that they agree to review. They also submit their reviews via the Rapid Review system. Peer reviewers are expected to treat all manuscripts as confidential documents that should be shredded after the review is submitted. If a reviewer receives a manuscript that poses a real or perceived conflict of interest, this should be declared to the editorial office.
Post-Publication Peer Review
Readers are encouraged to submit comments about new articles as "Rapid Responses" through the portal found on the article page on the Web site. Rapid Responses will be linked to articles and posted on the Web site within days of submission.
The Journal also publishes "letters to the editor" that comment on published articles, or other topics of interest to the readership. Such correspondence is indexed in MEDLINE. Letters for publication consideration should be submitted via the author portal on the Journal home page.(American)
As part of the Board’s ongoing review of MC-FP, the ABFM Board of Directors approved additional program improvements at their October Board meeting that will enhance Diplomates’ participation in MC-FP. The new framework creates more options and greater flexibility for completing MC-FP, enabling Diplomates who are actively participating in the process to extend their original 7-year certificate by 3 years. In approving the changes for this program, the ABFM carefully considered Diplomates’ input regarding the most effective methods for enhancing participation.
This extension is dependent on continued and timely completion of Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) and Performance in Practice Modules (PPMs). Therefore, Diplomates who are currently participating in MC-FP should continue to complete present MC-FP requirements according to the schedule already published by the ABFM. The Board’s goal is to recognize the value of full and timely participation in MC-FP, further supporting Diplomates in keeping up with rapid advances in medicine and quality improvement.
During the past year, the Board has made 24 major improvements to streamline the MC-FP process, dramatically improving Diplomates’ ability to complete elements of the program efficiently. Since the implementation of MC-FP, the Board has sought feedback from Diplomates through multiple channels, including:
Information sessions at the AAFP Scientific Assembly in 2003, 2004 and 2005
Focus groups at the 2005 AAFP Scientific Assembly
Meetings with AAFP leadership
Visits to more than 30 AAFP state chapters
Review of on-line surveys linked to the SAMs
One-on-one discussions with a broad range of Diplomates, as well as e-mail exchanges and comments received via the ABFM Help Desk
The Board understands that Diplomates want options that will both support their participation and preserve the integrity of the process. We are committed to refining MC-FP to provide the best, most effective process for evaluating Diplomates’ certification status, while ensuring continuous learning and improvement in practice.
While the specific details of the new MC-FP program improvements are still being finalized, the Board nevertheless wanted to announce the approved changes as soon as practical in an effort to promote continued, valuable dialogue with its Diplomates. An announcement of the final details of the MC-FP program enhancements will be announced by ABFM through a variety of outlets in early 2006.
The American Board of Family Medicine also wishes to remind Diplomates of the examination dates for 2006. The application for the 2006 examinations is online at the ABFM Web site.
THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF FAMILY MEDICINE
Name Change
In January 2006, the Journal of the American Board of Family Practice changed its name to the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM). The journal Web site address is now.
Open-Access Electronic Journal
The JABFM is a free open-access journal. Six issues are published each year. Visit the Web site to search for articles of interest and to download free .pdf reprints of articles published from 2000 to the present.
Electronic Subscriptions
Free electronic subscriptions of the Journal are available to all. To subscribe and have the JABFM sent to your e-mail account, go to the Journal home page and sign up for "eTOCs" to receive the electronic Table of Contents with links to articles. These e-mail alerts are sent as soon as the current issue is posted online.
Hard Copy Print Subscriptions
Hard copy (printed) copies of the JABFM are available to paid subscribers. To subscribe to the printed JABFM, see the rate card posted on the Journal Web site.
Submitting Manuscripts
The JABFM uses the electronic Rapid Review software for manuscript submission and management. Authors submit their manuscripts via the portal on the Journal home page. Be sure to read the Instructions for Authors before submitting your work.
Recruiting Peer Reviewers
The JABFM is seeking new peer reviewers. Peer reviewing provides the opportunity for researchers to sharpen their writing and critical appraisal skills. If you are willing to serve as a peer reviewer, go to the Journal home page and print the form to volunteer as a reviewer. Fill out with your contact information and areas of expertise and then fax to the editorial office: 313-577-9282.
Using the Rapid Review system, peer reviewers are sent a link to the manuscripts that they agree to review. They also submit their reviews via the Rapid Review system. Peer reviewers are expected to treat all manuscripts as confidential documents that should be shredded after the review is submitted. If a reviewer receives a manuscript that poses a real or perceived conflict of interest, this should be declared to the editorial office.
Post-Publication Peer Review
Readers are encouraged to submit comments about new articles as "Rapid Responses" through the portal found on the article page on the Web site. Rapid Responses will be linked to articles and posted on the Web site within days of submission.
The Journal also publishes "letters to the editor" that comment on published articles, or other topics of interest to the readership. Such correspondence is indexed in MEDLINE. Letters for publication consideration should be submitted via the author portal on the Journal home page.(American)