Upsides to this approach include decreasing divisiveness in the specialty, creating a better brand, and elevating the specialty. A board certification will help in obtaining a Medicare specialty designation, which will help stop the delisting of Mohs surgeons from insurance networks based on their average charges compared with general dermatologists. This action would particularly help small practices.
The American Academy of Dermatology board of directors sent this issue to the education committee to inform and poll the membership. You should expect to hear more about the proposed process. As an AAD member, you will get to express your opinion so make sure you are well informed. The AAD membership opinion will be important in whether or not the American Board of Dermatology decides to pursue this. Remember, this is an American Board of Dermatology decision, not an AAD decision.
More reasons for a board certification include that the ACGME expects its fellowships to develop a board exam at some point (although not all have). The 1,000 ACGME fellowship–trained micrographic surgeons deserve a chance to be board certified, which is the medical profession’s way to demonstrate competence to the public.
Having all Mohs surgeons board certified would heal a huge rift in the house of dermatology, and give us a united, consistent face to present to other specialties, the Congress, and the media. Physicians are judged by their training and credentials. Love them or hate them, the ACGME is the gold standard. Perhaps the greatest beneficiaries would be those practicing Mohs who did not complete a formal fellowship. I think a board exam is overdue, and will be a boon to all of dermatology.
Dr. Coldiron is a past president of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is currently in private practice, but maintains a clinical assistant professorship at the University of Cincinnati. He cares for patients, teaches medical students and residents, and has several active clinical research projects. Dr. Coldiron is the author of more than 80 scientific letters, papers, and several book chapters, and he speaks frequently on a variety of topics.