Fail Maintenance of Certification? I Need Your Help

With the increasing failure rate of first-time test takers of the American Board of Medical Specialties' Maintenance of Certification program, no study of the impact of failing the examination upon physicians (and the patients they serve) has occurred.  Specifically, I am interested in the economic, professional and psychologic consequences of failing the Maintenance of Certification examination for previously board-certified practicing physicians.

To that end, I'd like to compile the stories of people who have FAILED their Maintenance of Certification examination.  I would like to know the cost in both time, money and consequences that was impacted by the failure, whatever they were or were not.  I hope to publish a paper in a major medical journal on my findings.  Commentary can be sent to me one of two ways: (1) private e-mail (wes -at- medtees dot com) or  (2) by placing a comment to this post (since all comments are moderated, I will only publish those that I am granted specific permission to publish) here. 

I would like to know the following:

(1) A bit about you: your age, gender, specialty, years in practice, practice setting
(2) Number of patients you treat annually
(3) A description of what it was like to learn you failed, actions taken (re-score request, additional review course, repeat testing, retirement), loss of income.
(4) Impact to ability to practice, if any (loss of privileges, etc)
(5) Cost, but in time and money spent for the various parts of the process.
(6) Did your results appear on the website "CertificationMatters.org"
(7) Willingness to co-author a manuscript
(8) THIS ONE'S IMPORTANT: Willingness to have your name mentioned publically.  ALL RESPONSES WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL otherwise.
(Any other data you think is important and I have missed and would like included or NOT mentioned)

I will compile the data I receive, both as discrete variables and comments that allow publication.

It is quite possible that many academic journals will not publish the results obtained in this survey and, if so, I will co-publish the composite data on this blog for all to review.

I appreciate any and all feedback I might be able to obtain.  The face of the dark side of Maintenance of Certification needs to be understood and reported.

Thanks for your coooperation in this effort.

Sincerely,

Wes Fisher, MD

Psychology's New Adjustment Disorder

You can see it in their eyes as they dart left and right, up and down.  Their hands make rapid, self-flagellating movements over their chest, hips, buttocks.  Their pulse quickens.  Cold beads of sweat rise across their upper lip and forehead.  Their breathing is shallow at first, then builds, gradually, to a large sigh.  Inaudible words are whispered and the individual appears agitated, often pacing in circles as they speak.

They stop.  They frantically look about, rechecking pockets, coats, desktops, and even peer under the keyboard.  Their thoughts circle, pupils constrict, palms moisten, and mouth goes dry.  

Then, as fast it came, nothing.  They try to stay calm but the damage is done. A blank stare descends as they look toward somewhere in space, as if every hope, every friend, every loved one, is lost.

"Doctor, are you okay?"

"Oh,  I'm sorry.  Acute Rectangle Deficiency...."

 "... I think I left my cellphone at home."

-Wes