How many CME credits and MOC points do Hospitalists need?
Hospitalists are required by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to complete at least 1 MOC activity every 2 years and earn at least 100 MOC points (20 which must be medical knowledge) every 5 years to maintain their board certification. Any MOC points earned from the MOC activity you participate in may count towards to 100 MOC points that are required every 5 years.
The ABIM, also recently introduced the Focused Practice in Hospital Medicine (FPHM) MOC program, which “assesses, recognizes and sets standards for the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes of general internists who focus their practice in the care of patients in an inpatient setting”. This program is a variation of the Internal Medicine certification that also requires Hospitalists to also earn 100 MOC points (20 which must be medical knowledge) every 5 years. Hospitalists may choose to participate in this program rather than the traditional ABIM MOC program.
In addition to meeting the ABIM MOC requirements, Hospitalists must earn a specific number of CME credits to continue practicing medicine in their state. Each state has different CME requirements Hospitalists must meet to stat licensed. For example, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama requires Hospitalists licensed in Alabama to earn 25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ every year. Check out our state CME requirements guide to find out exactly how many CME credits you need to completely meet your licensing requirements.
Why are CME and MOC important for Hospitalists?
CME and MOC is important for Hospitalists because it helps them keep up to date with the latest advances in Hospital Medicine and in turn provide better patient care and improve satisfaction amongst hospitalized patients.
Many industry experts agree that due to the declining inpatient volume, changing payment mechanisms, and a consolidating market, it is becoming increasingly important for hospitalists to prove the value they provide. According to Ron Greeno, MD, executive vice president of strategy and innovation for Cogent Healthcare, hospitalists are equipped to demonstrate their value. He says, “All the things that we say constitute a good hospitalist program—standardization of care, process measures, good communication with other providers, patients, and families—all of those things in the health care system of the future are going to create a tremendous amount of value.”
The most effective Hospital Medicine CME activities will help physicians develop skills that demonstrate value such as improved communication with patients and more efficient processes. By taking these activities, hospitalists can grow in their profession and demonstrate the value that warrants keeping their job and advancing in their careers.
How can Hospitalists meet their CME and MOC requirements?
Hospitalists can meet their ABIM MOC requirements and state CME requirements via online Hospital Medicine CME courses. Many physicians prefer online courses such as online Hospital Medicine board reviews, because they are often convenient, contain up-to-date material, and offer enough CME credits and MOC points to completely meet their specific requirements.
Two of the most popular online Hospital Medicine activities are:
- BoardVitals Hospital Medicine CME Pro Plus Bundle with Bonus $2,500 Amazon Gift Cardor Visa Prepaid Card
- CMEInfo Insider Hospital Medicine with Free $2,000 Amazon Gift Card
Both of these courses offer at least 70 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM and ABIM MOC points and can be completed online via your computer, smartphone, or tablet. The courses are also great resources for expanding their knowledge around key Hospital Medicine topics such as clinical judgment and decision making skills, diagnostic reasoning, and appropriate inpatient and transitional care across diverse demographics.
Another benefit of these courses is that they each come with a bonus gift card with their purchase. Many hospitalists who receive a CME allowance specifically seek out CME courses that they can use their allowance to get a free gift card in return.
Check out this blog post on top Hospital Medicine CME courses for more in-depth information on these courses.
What live Hospital Medicine CME activities can Hospitalists attend to meet their CME requirements?
Many hospitalists look to attend live Hospital Medicine CME activities such as conferences and seminars to meet their CME and MOC requirements. This is a popular option because they are often held in popular vacation destinations and they often feature well-renowned industry speakers who will thoroughly cover key Hospital Medicine topics in large and more personal sessions.
Some of the top upcoming live Hospital Medicine CME activities include:
- Hospital Medicine 2019 (March 24-27, 2019 in National Harbor, MD)
- Hospital Medicine: Management of the Hospitalized Adult Patient (April 1-5, 2019 in Sarasota, FL)
- 2019 Pediatric Hospital Medicine (July 25-28, 2019 in Seattle, WA)
