Views on recertification

The CMAJ editorial on mandatory recertification1 expresses a positive opinion on the desirability of such a move. However, nothing approaching good evidence is quoted to support this view, which raises the question of whether our licensing practice should be as evidence-based as our medical practice.

Another question is, What are we trying to solve through recertification? If we are trying to prevent mistakes, we need to look much deeper than basic competence, given that many, if not most, errors are due to systemic problems such as overwork and inadequate resources. A medical school truism is that it takes a genius to make an original mistake. It would make more sense to address the systemic causes of error rather than compounding them by increasing physician workload and stress.

Of course we need to embrace quality and maintain competence. But that doesn't mean sending practising professionals back to grade school. Let's define the problems and test the solutions before embarking on a course that may have counterintuitive results.

Jonathan D. Slater St. Joseph's General Hospital Comox, BC