The document discusses the proposal to establish Diabetes Philippines as a subspecialty of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP). It notes that PCP was tasked with absorbing other specialty societies. While improving quality of training and serving patients were reasons given for including Diabetes Philippines, the document argues this violates the PMA Code for Professional Specialization which aims to avoid duplication and recognizes subspecialties under existing specialty societies. As diabetes is part of endocrinology, establishing it as an independent subspecialty goes against these guidelines.

1. The Road to Becoming aThe Road to Becoming a
SubspecialtySubspecialty

2. Started with the PCP proposal for amendmentsStarted with the PCP proposal for amendments

3. Justifications for the Proposed AmendmentsJustifications for the Proposed Amendments
A. PCP, as lead specialty of one of 8 specialty divisions , was tasked toA. PCP, as lead specialty of one of 8 specialty divisions , was tasked to
absorb 6 other “specialty societies” as Affiliate Societies.absorb 6 other “specialty societies” as Affiliate Societies.
B. There was need to re-categorize physicians into generalists, specialists ,B. There was need to re-categorize physicians into generalists, specialists ,
and sub-specialists for PHIC purposes.and sub-specialists for PHIC purposes.

4. C. IM graduates who pass the Diplomate exams will become Specialists.C. IM graduates who pass the Diplomate exams will become Specialists.
D. If they subsequently pass the subspecialty exams, they will become Subspecialists.D. If they subsequently pass the subspecialty exams, they will become Subspecialists.

5. E. There is no problem with the other “absorbed” Affiliate Societies because they areE. There is no problem with the other “absorbed” Affiliate Societies because they are
clearly separate and distinct areas of discipline already with their own systems ofclearly separate and distinct areas of discipline already with their own systems of
accreditation and training evaluation.accreditation and training evaluation.

6. How did Diabetes PhilippinesHow did Diabetes Philippines
become a “sub-specialty” of PCP asbecome a “sub-specialty” of PCP as
one of its Affiliate Societies?one of its Affiliate Societies?

7. Our Regents had their goodOur Regents had their good
reasons for “inviting” Diabetesreasons for “inviting” Diabetes
Philippines to be a PCPPhilippines to be a PCP
Subspecialty Society in theirSubspecialty Society in their
response to PSEM…response to PSEM…

8. 4) “…As the eventual benefactor would be the4) “…As the eventual benefactor would be the
patients in the community which we serve.”patients in the community which we serve.”
2) To harmonize the Joint Committees of Certification,2) To harmonize the Joint Committees of Certification,
Accreditation and Training “…with the specific objectiveAccreditation and Training “…with the specific objective
of improving their quality of training, and as such,of improving their quality of training, and as such,
Diabetes Philippines was invited to be included.”Diabetes Philippines was invited to be included.”

9. But aren’t those always parts of theBut aren’t those always parts of the
“Mission and Vision” of all the specialties“Mission and Vision” of all the specialties
and subspecialties? If that is so, then everyand subspecialties? If that is so, then every
society can be “invited” as Subspecialtysociety can be “invited” as Subspecialty
Societies. Nay, but there must be moreSocieties. Nay, but there must be more
objective, definite guidelines for theobjective, definite guidelines for the
formation and recognition of specialty andformation and recognition of specialty and
subspecialty societies…subspecialty societies…

10. ……and the PMA does have one – theand the PMA does have one – the
Code for Professional SpecializationCode for Professional Specialization
– with its very specific provisions.– with its very specific provisions.

12. What are the provisions of theWhat are the provisions of the
Code?Code?

13. No. 1. Only one specialty or sub-specialty in each discipline – no duplication.No. 1. Only one specialty or sub-specialty in each discipline – no duplication.
No. 2. There shall be 8 major Specialty Divisions of which (Internal) Medicine is one.No. 2. There shall be 8 major Specialty Divisions of which (Internal) Medicine is one.

14. No. 3. Ergo, there are 8 recognized Lead Specialty Societies and for Medicine itNo. 3. Ergo, there are 8 recognized Lead Specialty Societies and for Medicine it
is the Philippine College of Physicians.is the Philippine College of Physicians.

15. No. 4. A Specialty or Subspecialty Society must represent a specialty or subspecialtyNo. 4. A Specialty or Subspecialty Society must represent a specialty or subspecialty
where no other society of the same specialty or subspecialty is holding charter withwhere no other society of the same specialty or subspecialty is holding charter with
the PMA – again, NO duplication.the PMA – again, NO duplication.

16. Our Regents themselves admitted that Diabetes isOur Regents themselves admitted that Diabetes is
indeed but part of Endocrinology which is already one ofindeed but part of Endocrinology which is already one of
our existing Subspecialty and Component Societies.our existing Subspecialty and Component Societies.

17. No. 5. As already provided, there are already eight (8) designated lead specialty societiesNo. 5. As already provided, there are already eight (8) designated lead specialty societies
(of which ours is the Philippine College of Physicians).(of which ours is the Philippine College of Physicians).
No. 6. A sub-specialty society may be recognized by the lead specialty societyNo. 6. A sub-specialty society may be recognized by the lead specialty society
PROVIDED such recognition shall be in accordance with the aforementionedPROVIDED such recognition shall be in accordance with the aforementioned
provisions of Article III of this Code.provisions of Article III of this Code.

18. No. 7. Specialty or sub-specialty societies of the PMA must so indicate in allNo. 7. Specialty or sub-specialty societies of the PMA must so indicate in all
their official programs and communications…their official programs and communications…

19. ……Which we have been doing for as long as we can remember…Which we have been doing for as long as we can remember…

20. And so we wonder again…howAnd so we wonder again…how
did a group of physicians whodid a group of physicians who
treat only one disease in antreat only one disease in an
existing subspecialty be accordedexisting subspecialty be accorded
a subspecialty status by itself?a subspecialty status by itself?

21. ……And now even wants toAnd now even wants to
accredit the members of theaccredit the members of the
subspecialty of which it issubspecialty of which it is
but a part?but a part?

22. It is like a baby trying to give birthIt is like a baby trying to give birth
to its mother…to its mother…

23. ……Or a chick wanting to put theOr a chick wanting to put the
mother hen under its wings.mother hen under its wings.

24. A final food for thought…A final food for thought…

25. ““Enter by the narrow gate; for wide isEnter by the narrow gate; for wide is
the gate and broad is the way thatthe gate and broad is the way that
leads to destruction, and there areleads to destruction, and there are
many who go in by it.many who go in by it.
Because narrow is the gate and difficultBecause narrow is the gate and difficult
is the way which leads to life, and thereis the way which leads to life, and there
are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).