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ABIM updates assessment process for continuous certification
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The ABIM is offering physicians more flexible options to maintain board certification while still remaining current and confident in medical knowledge.
This is the first stage of dialogue the ABIM is taking to re-evaluate and update the continuous board certification program. The organization is collaborating with the 200,000 ABIM board-certified members and 27 medical societies to refine their process.
“ABIM is changing because physicians are changing it. We are very proud to be collaborating with the many doctors who are constructively helping us update the assessment process,” Richard J. Baron, MD, president and CEO of ABIM, said in a press release. “Doctors want a certification program that integrates into their daily routine, while affirming to their patients and peers that they have up-to-date medical knowledge. That is exactly why ABIM is introducing assessment options.”
The ABIM is offering physicians certified in internal medicine the choice to take assessments every 2 or 10 years.
The 2-year assessment provides the most options, convenience and relevance for physicians to maintain their certification, according to the ABIM. They are considered short “knowledge check-ins” that deliver more continuous learning, feedback and improvement. These assessments will be available starting in 2018.
Physicians will have more dates and locations (on a personal or work computer, or at a testing center) to choose from when scheduling a 2-year assessment. Results of the assessment will be instantaneous with additional feedback to follow. To allow for ABIM to learn from the process and physicians to adjust to changes, those who do not pass the 2-year assessment in 2018 will not be penalized.
Although physicians may still opt to take the 10-year assessments in a testing center, the ABIM is currently working with physicians to make the 10-year assessment more reflective of practice.
“This work is constantly evolving as we move forward, and we’re proud that the steps we’re taking are informed by physicians who are dedicated to improving patient care,” Jeanne M. Marrazzo, MD, chair of ABIM Council, said in the release.
In the next few months, ABIM will release updates on the availability of these options for subspecialties.
Disclosure: Healio Internal Medicine was unable to confirm any relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.