Dual credit available for MC-FP and recognition programs

Diplomates of the American Board of Family Medicine recognized for quality care through the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Physician Recognition programs are now able to receive credit toward their Maintenance of Certification.

During the new 10-year MC-FP timeline, physicians must complete three Part IV Performance in Practice Modules. Diplomates who complete NCQA’s Diabetes Physician Recognition Program or Heart/Stroke Recognition Program will receive one credit for each if completed in separate three-year cycles.

The NCQA programs require meeting “rigorous standards” and “reviewing the medical records of a sample of patients to ensure they receive care consistent with evidence-based guidelines,” according to an NCQA press release. The programs are developed by NCQA, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Allowing physicians to earn MC-FP credit through the Physician Recognition programs reduces some of the measurement burden placed on providers, ABFM President James Puffer, M.D., said in the release. For more information on MC-FP requirements, visit the ABFM Web site at www.theabfm.org or call the ABFM Support Center at (877) 223-7437. For more information on the NCQA Physician Recognition programs, visit www.ncqa.org.

Frisco student wins Texas Tar Wars Poster Contest

“Tobacco free is key” to a healthy life

TAFP congratulates the 2007 Texas Tar Wars Poster Contest winner, Sean Foley of Frisco. Foley’s poster, “Tobacco Free is the Key,” was selected by TAFP members for the grand prize from many entries. His message reinforces the anti-smoking message supported by the Texas Department of Health and the Academy. He is now eligible to enter the national poster contest in Washington, D.C. this summer.

Tar Wars brings health care professionals into 4th- and 5th-grade classrooms to educate and motivate students to stay tobacco free. Students are eligible to submit a poster displaying what they’ve learned after they participate in a Tar Wars presentation. For more information on the program, such as how you can sign up to be a Tar Wars presenter, visit the Tar Wars page of the TAFP Web site, www.tafp.org/tarWars.