RT Journal
A1 Cassel CK
T1 PHysician quality and maintenance of certification—reply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD December 26
VO 308
IS 24
SP 2562
OP 2563
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.131781
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.131781
AB 
As to the research on the benefits of certification and MOC, there have been several studies linking certification to quality. Because MOC is a relatively new program, there is less research, but 2 studies1- 2 reported that higher scores on the ABIM's MOC examination for internal medicine are associated with better performance on quality indicators for diabetes and mammography screening. In addition, a positive association was found between the rate at which preventive care services were delivered for Medicare patients and certification status in internal medicine or family medicine.3 Additionally, time since a physician's last board certification correlates with decline in quality of care for patients being treated for high blood pressure.4 More research needs to be done in this area.