Implementation of a Professional Society Core Curriculum and Integrated Maintenance of Certification Program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professional Development
• Continuing Medical Education

Background:

• Medical professional societies facilitate collaboration, career growth, and continuing medical education.
• Physician maintenance of certification requires formal educational activities.
• The American Thoracic Society (ATS) launched an innovative maintenance of certification program in 2012.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of the ATS "Core Curriculum" program.
• To highlight the ATS process for content design and curriculum development.
• To provide a generalizable model for other professional societies.

Main Methods:

• The ATS developed a unique program incorporating collaboration and career development opportunities.
• The program offers continuing medical education and maintenance of certification credit.
• Content design, curriculum development stages, and outcomes data were documented.

Main Results:

• The ATS Core Curriculum program provides formal educational activities for maintenance of certification.
• The program uniquely integrates collaboration and career development.
• Outcomes data demonstrate positive influence on practitioners and societies.

Conclusions:

• The ATS Core Curriculum offers a valuable model for professional societies.
• The curriculum development process is generalizable and beneficial.
• This program enhances continuing medical education and physician career development.