AMA kicks off accreditation program

The American Medical Association says it will create a voluntary accreditation plan for doctors who meet certain quality standards. The process will be open to any doctor, and the seal of approval will be given to those who prove that they have proper credentials, meet ethical standards, and run their offices correctly.

The AMA says its new plan will also measure clinical performance, patient care, and patient satisfaction within several years, but skeptics question the reliability of results based on a professional group that publicly judges its own members.

While consumers will be given little to no specific information about participating physicians, William F. Jessee, MD, AMA vice president for quality and managed care, says, "Tougher standards would discourage doctors from taking part." t