The American Academy of Pain Medicine

AAPM Supports AMA Initiatives

Through the years, the American Academy of Pain Medicine has diligently developed a close working relationship with the American Medical Association (AMA) because the Academy's leadership has been convinced that a strong relationship with the AMA was critical to realizing its mission and to achieving its goals, including the ultimate recognition of Pain Medicine as a medical specialty.

AAPM & AMA Urge Physicians to Contact State Medical Associations -Requirement for Maintenance of Licensure (MOL)

The attached alert from Michael Maves, MD, CEO of the AMA regarding medical re-licensure deserves careful analysis & attention.

A special committee of The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) developed a draft policy, which recommends that physician's re-licensure should be based on assessment of practice performance. In addition to current requirements related to CME, physicians would be required to "take part in ongoing self- assessment and to demonstrate continuing competence in their areas of practice" at the time of license renewal. This could potentially place additional burdens on physicians & create unnecessary obstacles to the practice of medicine, without any proof that it would enhance patient safety or medical care. In addition, the recommendations for MOL could be regarded as promoting specialty licensure, a practice that is already in force in several states. We strongly urge that you contact your State Medical Association to make them aware of your concerns & to assure that they establish dialogue with the licensing agency in your state.

See AMA Notification - Sept. 2008