WASHINGTON — The American College of Cardiology (ACC), Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) have announced a partnership to develop new modules to help subspecialty cardiologists potentially meet collaborative maintenance pathway requirements equivalent to satisfying the ABIM’s current 10-year MOC examination.

“It is a shared goal of ACC, HFSA, HRS and SCAI to help our collective members ensure their patients are receiving the highest quality, evidence-based care,” said ACC President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC. “In offering additional pathways for cardiologists who wish to maintain their professional certification, we can more effectively and efficiently help busy clinicians keep up with current knowledge in their specific areas of practice.”

Through this partnership, which will move forward upon reaching agreement with the ABIM, the ACC will enhance its existing ACC Self-Assessment Program (ACCSAP) product line with CathSAP, EPSAP and Heart Failure SAP products to help fulfill the MOC needs of interventionalists, electrophysiologists and heart failure specialists. An analogous product for ABIM diplomates in Adult Congenital Heart Disease will be developed by 2021.

“This program and partnership will deliver great value for all of our members. The sophistication of these self-assessment modules will allow a more streamlined pathway for maintaining credentials,” said HFSA President Christopher O’Connor, MD, FHFSA.

“The Heart Rhythm Society is excited about exploring a partnership with ACC and the other societies in this initiative” said HRS President George Van Hare, MD, FHRS, FACC. “We have long advocated for a process of recertification that recognizes the advantages of continuous learning, as opposed to a single high-stakes exam. HRS looks forward to having an opportunity to collaborate on developing a new MOC process.”

“SCAI leadership is eager to partner with ACC, to share in the work of building out best-in-class re-certification materials. By leveraging the breadth and depth of talent within both organizations, and maintaining close communication with ABIM, we can facilitate a quicker, easier, and more relevant MOC experience for our members,” said SCAI President Kirk N. Garratt, MD, MSc, FSCAI.

Development is in the early stages, but the new products may launch as early as 2019. During development the current ACCSAP 9 remains in place to help clinicians maintain professional competence.

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions is a 4,300-member professional organization representing invasive and interventional cardiologists in approximately 80 countries. SCAI's mission is to lead the global interventional cardiovascular community through education, advocacy, research, and quality patient care. For more information about SCAI, visit www.scai.org. Follow @SCAI on Twitter for the latest heart health news.

The American College of Cardiology is the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team. The mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College operates national registries to measure and improve care, offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions, provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet stringent qualifications. For more information, visit www.acc.org.

The Heart Failure Society of America, Inc. (HFSA) represents the first organized effort by heart failure experts from the Americas to provide a forum for all those interested in heart function, heart failure, and congestive heart failure (CHF) research and patient care. HFSA supports a multi-disciplinary clinical team approach for the preventions of and care for heart failure patients and is seeking to raise awareness about this devastating disease. Nearly 6.5 million patients suffer from heart failure. For more information, please visit www.hfsa.org.

The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of more than 6,000 heart rhythm professionals in more than 70 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.HRSonline.org.