The Ethics of Maintenance of Certification in Dermatology

This chapter explores the ever-controversial topic of maintenance of certification (MOC) in dermatology. Criticism of MOC is based on utilitarian reasoning. It focuses on policy that allows late-career physicians to opt out of the program, redundancy with other professional education programs, irrelevancy to those with restricted scopes of practice, and limited cost-effectiveness, particularly in terms of improved patient outcomes. Supporters of MOC highlight the crucial role it plays in the professional duties of life-long learning and self-regulation. The American Board of Medical Specialties has recommended a series of reforms to MOC to maximize benefits and limit burdens associated with the program.