Implementing Competency Based ABFM Board Eligibility

The transition from residency education that emphasizes counts and hours to competency assessment is a major change for Family Medicine. Starting July 1, 2023, it will affect all program directors, faculty, and residents. How should our community support this change? Keeping in mind the “why” of residency redesign is important. Despite rhetoric of transformation and tech-driven innovation, the outcomes of health care in the US are getting steadily worse in comparison to other affluent countries1; life expectancy is declining,2 even as costs rise unsustainably. Moreover, the pandemic has driven us to rediscover3 disparities and has accelerated burnout and moral injury among family physicians and their teams. To meet the needs of our patients, communities, and health teams, Family Medicine must step up.