We have previously written about the 2020 Task Force organized by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) on Maintenance of Certification (MOC) assessments. ABIM is using the task force in an attempt to continue perfecting their MOC program and setting a new process for internists and subspecialists.
Most recently, ABIM announced that they are looking at permitting access to online resources for a portion of the maintenance of certification assessments. In a blog post written by President and CEO of ABIM, Richard J. Baron, M.D., MACP, he announced that the idea to “make at least a portion of ABIM’s assessment ‘open-book” was repeatedly suggested from both medical society leadership, and in broad community dialogue. Many who suggested the idea believe that permitting such “open book assessments” may result in test scores that are “truer to a physician’s every day experiences.”
In response to those suggestions, ABIM has launched a study to examine the ways ABIM diplomats might have access to online resources during a portion of the MOC assessment. For the study, ABIM is seeking physicians who have either passed the Internal Medicine Certification exam or have taken the Internal Medicine MOC exam within the past five years to participate.
While ABIM has no definite answers as to when the open book option or any other alternatives to the current MOC assessment might be implemented, they have made significant progress, and look forward to being able to shed more light on the future in the coming months.
Possibly permitting open-book test taking is not the only thing ABIM is looking at doing to update their MOC testing. Other ideas include:
- Developing new approaches to assessment; getting physician input about new approaches through society meetings, focus groups, design sessions, and online surveys
- Surveying all ABIM Board Certified physicians about the MOC experience and alternate assessment ideas they have. ABIM has received thousands of responses and once they have an opportunity to compile the responses, will share the results
- Inviting all diplomates within a specialty to participate in blueprint review, a key building block to future assessment discussions
- Inviting more physicians to participate in the standard setting process
What’s Next?
In April, the ABIM Board of Directors and Council will be meeting jointly to consider physician recommendations about what the best options are for updating the MOC assessment process. The two groups together will refine a timetable to pilot, test, and implement changes to the assessment process.
It is expected that alternative assessments will require analysis and piloting to ensure that the approach is impartial, fair, and respectful. ABIM recognizes the importance of physician and society input, and as such, will continue to update and engage them.
Dr. Baron emphasizes that he and the Board of Directors are grateful to the individuals and societies who have joined ABIM in trying to make the process better, and also to those who are urging the process to move faster. ABIM has committed to issuing quarterly progress reports so that everyone knows what the expect, and when to expect it, in the process.
If you have ideas about MOC, Dr. Baron encourages you to reach out to him at rbaronmd@abim.org.