EVANSTON, Ill. - Feb. 7, 2007 - Stephen H. Miller, MD, MPH, president and CEO of American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), speaks on “Certification and Maintenance of Certification” at the French National Task Force on Medical Competencies in Paris, France on January 22, 2007.
 The French government’s Ministry of Health, Monsieur Xavier Bertrand, appointed Professor Yves Matillon to create and oversee this colloquium which include representatives from the Ministry of Health, directors of French hospitals and hospital organizations, individual specialists, university presidents and professors who are involved in setting standards and competencies for the French healthcare system.

Dr. Miller was among many high-profile health leaders and the only American-based physician to speak at this conference. “The world is shrinking and we need to be active participants to ensure higher standards and better healthcare for everyone,” stated Miller. “One of ABMS’ Foundation’s strategic mission is to guide, facilitate and collaborate in certification and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) from both a national and global perspective. Helping this French task force by sharing the American MOC program enables ABMS to assume a leadership role in discussing quality of medical specialties on a global basis.”

Major issues covered included certification and MOC for best-practices and standards for quality. Miller suggested that the task force develop a mechanism of evaluating specialties and create programs that best train their physicians. He continued to stress that standards need to be accepted by all organizations that are involved in policy settings, including, societies and associations.

In addition to his presentation, Miller met separately with Bertrand and his staff and was invited to the live State of Health broadcast message. Miller also met with Madame Annie Podeur, ministerial director in charge of hospitals, Monsieur Frederic Van Roeghem, director de l’UNCAM (similar to the US based social security system), their respective staffs and other top health officials about matters pertaining to certification, maintenance and competencies.

“Overall the meeting went very well,” added Miller. “There was a lot of sharing about what we’re doing well in the 24 ABMS Member Boards as it relates to MOC. Obviously the French healthcare system is different than ours, however, competencies are the same, no matter what side of the globe you are on. I felt honored that I could represent our MOC program.”

About ABMS and the ABMS Research and Education Foundation

The American Board of Medical Specialties is the preeminent medical organization overseeing physician certification in the United States. It assists its 24 Member Boards in their efforts to develop and implement educational and professional standards for the evaluation and certification of physician specialists. The ABMS Research and Education Foundation supports ABMS’ mission to advance physician leadership in improving healthcare quality by promoting excellence in clinical medicine through programs of continuing education, assessment and research, and providing information on physician certification to policymakers, the media and the public. Visit www.abms.org or call (312) 436-2600.