Maintenance of Certiifcation (MOC) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To apply through the AAP MOC Portfolio Program, you must first complete an AAP MOC Project Request Form. This form helps AAP staff understand what support you may need for your project.

Projects must:

• Have direct oversight from national AAP or national AAP entity
• Complete MOC Project Request Form
• Follow the standards set forth by the ABP
• Complete an AAP MOC Application form (provided by MOC Portfolio staff following consultation). Once approved, provide ongoing reports directly to the MOC Review Panel

Projects that are interested in receiving MOC Part 4 credit should be submitted before the start of the project.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for approval of your MOC Part 4 application.

Applications are reviewed by AAP Quality staff and the MOC Review Panel. The MOC Review Panel consists of 20 AAP members with QI expertise and specialize in a variety of content areas. Applications are reviewed to ensure the applications meet the ABP standards.

The MOC Review Panel reviews the full application and considers all aspects of an application as a whole. Project aim statements, measures, methods/interventions, data collection methods and reporting, completion criteria, oversight by AAP group, and QI education are all areas that should be clearly described in the protocol.

No, applying through the AAP MOC Portfolio Program is free so long as requirements are met.

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) granted the AAP Portfolio Sponsorship status, allowing the AAP to review and approve its own projects for Part 4 Maintenance of Certification.

Physicians who are board certified in General Pediatrics and/or in subspecialties certified by the American Board of Pediatrics:

• Adolescent Medicine Pediatric Cardiology
• Child Abuse Pediatrics Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Pediatric Nephrology
• Pediatric Endocrinology Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Hospice and Palliative Medicine
• Pediatric Hospital Medicine Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Pediatric Transplant Hepatology Medical Toxicology
• Pediatric Pulmonology Pediatric Rheumatology
• Sleep Medicine Sports Medicine

• Applying through the AAP MOC Portfolio Program is free (must meet the oversight requirements)
• Provides opportunities for members to connect with groups around the Academy; engage in leadership roles
• Offers members a unique opportunity to generate and participate in member-driven quality improvement projects and receive MOC Part 4 credit once approved
• Provides consultation on application, project design, and QI methodology

The Project Leader should determine whether the project has a research component. If it does, appropriate IRB steps should be taken. If the Project Leader obtains IRB from his/her institution, they will need to work with the AAP IRB to obtain a Letter of Agreement. The AAP MOC Portfolio reserves the right to ask for more information regarding the project as it relates to IRB considerations.

Typically, AAP members interested in conducting a quality improvement project through the Portfolio Program work within established AAP groups (eg, Sections, Councils) to develop a system for oversight for that project. The AAP group associated with the project is expected to have meaningful involvement during the project's planning and implementation period. Interested groups should determine their readiness for quality improvement and identify opportunities to build their infrastructure to support quality improvement work. Once ready, groups are encouraged to work with their members to develop meaningful quality improvement initiatives.

• AAP Chapters
• AAP Councils and AAP Sections
• Academy-sponsored Grants

• Ensure the project follows ABP standards and AAP Portfolio requirements as specified in the MOC Part 4 application
• Ensure the project aligns and does not contradict with AAP policies and views on the topic
• Work with Project Leader(s) to develop sound QI protocols
• Review application to ensure strength of quality improvement methods and project structure, including:
  • Does the project identify what it is trying to improve?
  • Do the measures provide information to participants about whether they are seeing an improvement?
  • Do the measures relate back to the stated QI aim?
• Serves as appeal process for unresolved disputes with attestations
• Attest to Project Leader participation and signs project leader attestation forms

Pre-Project Implementation

• Identify a physician QI expert to be involved in the project
• Develop a well-defined project that addresses the requirements for MOC Part 4 and meets the ABP standards
• Work with oversight group to establish process for oversight and communicate regularly with the oversight group on project progress
• Establish completion criteria for participants
• Identify a project manager (managing the day operations of the project), if not the Project Leader
• Complete MOC Part 4 application
• Collect, retain, and submit Local Leader Acknowledgement Forms, if applicable

Project Implementation

• Annual review (yearly from the start date of the project) report that documents project progress
• Track participant participation with support of project manager and/or local leaders, if applicable
• Communicate regularly with the oversight group on project progress
• Provide feedback to participants If changes are made to protocol, or project experiences issues or challenges, the MOC Review Panel (via Portfolio staff) should be informed

Post-Project Implementation

• Sign Local Leader or participant attestation forms
• Maintain all project documentation for 7 years (including methods, results, participation tracking, completion data tracking grid, attestations, and leadership)
• Collect, retain, and submit all attestation forms
• Complete and submit completion data tracking grid
• Complete and submit yearly and final reports to the Portfolio, or as requested by the Portfolio

It is important to have a mechanism to track physician participation so that Project Leaders (and Local Leaders, if applicable) can accurately attest that project participants have met the meaningful participation/completion requirements. Some groups use a spreadsheet to track data collection submitted, attendance at meetings and calls, etc. Your tracking mechanism should be tailored to your meaningful participation requirements.

Individual pediatricians can only apply through the AAP MOC Portfolio Program by utilizing the PediaLink QI pathway. Please note that we do not approve QI projects that have been completed or are already in progress, unless it is submitted and accepted as part of our National Conference Abstracts process.

QI Poster or Platform abstracts accepted into the AAP National Conference, may be eligible for MOC Part 4 credit.

No. Only abstracts submitted and accepted through the section/council programs for the AAP National Conference are eligible for MOC Part 4 credit through the Portfolio.

If you have further questions, please contact the MOC Portfolio Program.