ABIM launches study of open-book MOC assessments

The ABIM is evaluating whether online resources should be available during maintenance of certification assessments.

Richard J. Baron, MD, MACP, president and CEO of ABIM, wrote in a blog post that the study represents a way to improve the current MOC process.

"One proposed change — suggested repeatedly from medical society leadership and in broad community dialogue — is to make at least a portion of ABIM’s assessment “open-book,” offering the ability to access online resources when taking MOC assessments," he wrote. "Many have told us that doing so would be truer to a physician’s every day experiences. Based on this input, we have launched a study today to examine ways ABIM diplomates might have access to online resources during a portion of the MOC assessment."

Richard J. Baron

ABIM is looking for physicians who passed the internal medicine certification exam or took the internal medicine MOC exam within the last 5 years who are interested in participating in the study.

Baron stated that ABIM has also taken other steps to enhance the existing MOC process, which include getting input from physicians about new alternatives via surveys, focus groups, spring society meetings and inviting physicians to participate in blueprint reviews and the standard setting process.

He stressed, however, that while the community wants to explore alternatives to the current MOC exam, it is important that physicians continue to participate in MOC and respect what the current process means to physicians and patients.

"As ABIM continues to work with physicians to create alternatives to the current exam, it is critical that we do it in a way that preserves meaning and value for those who go through the program and says something important and relevant about physicians to themselves, their colleagues and the patients we collectively serve," Baron wrote.

He said that ABIM is committed to issuing quarterly progress reports regarding updates to the MOC process.