Maintenance of certification in anesthesiology (MOCA) evolved from an exam taken every decade to now having to complete 30 online questions every quarter, maintain an unrestricted license to practice medicine, obtain 250 category 1 continuing medical education (CME) credits (20 of which are approved as “patient safety” CMEs), and quality improvement activities. The nice part is that I can use one process to stay up-to-date with all three of my board certifications through the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA): anesthesiology, adult cardiac anesthesiology, and critical care medicine. The annual MOCA registration fee for me is $550 because of the three boards.
I’m also able to adjust my practice areas which, in turn, adjusts the types of questions I’m asked.
Now, let’s face it – physicians in all fields largely resent this process. We already participate in education in ways that matter far more than any quiz platform by reading journals, reviewing guidelines, managing complex physiology in real-time, teaching residents/fellows, and adopting new evidence into practice. Professional growth is already happening organically at the bedside, not because of MOCA but in spite of it.
MOCA often feels less like education and more like compliance. Yes, it sucks… but all anesthesiologists have to do this… so I do it. 😑
Read more about this process on the American Board of Anesthesiology’s website.
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