A recent study reveals that diagnostic radiologists in the United States will collectively invest nearly $984 million in their certification throughout their careers. This substantial expenditure encompasses approximately $208.5 million for initial board certification and around $775.3 million for maintaining that designation over a 35-year span. The findings are part of an analysis published on November 19 in the American Journal of Medicine.
The research also examined other members of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), indicating that about 90% of U.S. physicians are currently board certified. The overall costs for initial certification and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) for all ABMS-certified physicians are projected to reach nearly $3 billion and $9 billion, respectively. Notably, ABMS member boards maintain a surplus of $839 million, representing a 31% increase since 2014.
Alan H. Daniels, MD, from Brown University’s Department of Orthopedics and co-authors emphasized the growing number of board-certified physicians and the associated financial burden this represents for the healthcare industry, which they estimate at $12 billion. They called for further research to examine the effectiveness of board certification in measuring professional competency and its impact on patient outcomes.
Data collected between 2016 and 2023 revealed a 14% increase in active certification among physicians, with a remarkable 33% leap in continuing certification. Initial certification exams, which vary by specialty, typically feature around 300 questions over six hours, with the overall pass rate averaging 89% and costing approximately $2,942. For diagnostic radiology, the cost of initial written exams is about $3,200, with exceptionally high pass rates of 95% and 86% for the two distinct examinations.
Continuing certification exams have an average of 49 questions, a 93% pass rate, and an annual cost of about $263. In radiology, the Maintenance of Certification exam comprises 260 questions and spans 13 hours, requiring radiologists to fulfill defined requirements every five years, including completing Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits and paying an annual fee of $340.
Financial analyses from the 2022 tax year showed that the certification process generated roughly $47 million in surplus and left ABMS boards with a net balance of $839 million. Specifically, the American Board of Radiology collected about $18.4 million in total revenue, with a significant portion derived from exam fees. However, costs associated with staff compensation accounted for more than 62% of total expenses.
Concerns have arisen regarding the certification’s value, with some physicians arguing against its costs and questioning its impact on patient care. A notable case involved a Tennessee physician who sued the American Board of Radiology over claims of forced payments for ineffective professional development products, though the lawsuit was dismissed in 2021.
Daniels and his team called for ongoing scrutiny of the certification system, suggesting that it may not effectively filter out unqualified practitioners or contribute sufficiently to ongoing medical education. They proposed reallocating funds toward enhancing physician self-regulation, improving work environments, and promoting physician wellness, ultimately leading to better patient care.
In summary, while certification is a significant financial commitment for radiologists, the study invites critical evaluation of its effectiveness and potential reforms that could better support physicians and healthcare outcomes in the long term.
This discussion on the costs and effectiveness of board certification is pivotal as the medical community seeks ways to improve both physician support and patient care. By addressing these issues, there is hope for a future where the focus shifts more towards ensuring that certification translates into tangible benefits for both medical professionals and their patients.