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To the Editor: The Editorial on credentialing and public accountability by Drs Cassel and Holmboe¹ concludes that, as a result of process and criteria changes within the last 5 years, future studies "might show a more rigorous approach to monitoring certification status as well as a more robust data exchange that would allow certification to be even more effective in its ability to identify competence and facilitate quality improvement and excellence in physicians." However, the comments in the 2 related studies on board certification in pediatrics by Dr Freed and colleagues^2-3 make it clear that there is little, if any, evidence to demonstrate superior competency, improved care, or added learning between initially certified physicians who elect to recertify and those who do not.

The assertion that recertification is needed to reassure patients and the general public of physician competence throughout their careers is debatable. It is likely that the public . . . [Full Text of this Article]

F. Michael Gloth III, MD
mgloth@victorysprings.com
Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Md

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