ABIM Foundation Issue Brief

In the spring of 2008, physician groups, health plans, consumer organizations and employers agreed upon a set of national principles to govern physician reporting programs. Embodied in the “Patient Charter,” these principles constitute an initial consensus among stakeholders who have historically differed around a voluntary approach to reporting on physician performance. The New York State Attorney General’s office and the threat of lawsuits brought these parties to the table and helped to foster a possible truce around proliferating but contentious efforts to measure physician performance.

This agreement holds out the promise that future physician report cards will more consistently meet high scientific standards and be both more transparent and more meaningful to patients and
physicians. Tracking the issues surrounding public reporting is important to the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) as the organization considers how to enhance transparency of physician information, one of four priorities in its strategic plan.

The full document is available for download below.