ACP American College of Physicians - Internal Medicine - Doctors for Adults

The Four Components of the ABMS Framework

Part 1

Demonstration of Professional Standing: fulfilled by maintaining a clear license to practice medicine and demonstration of good standing in the professional community.

Part 2

Demonstration of Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment: currently fulfilled by completing one or more ABIM self-evaluation process (SEP) modules focused on medical knowledge, or an accepted substitute such as the MKSAP question modules (see MKSAP Maintenance of Certification Modules). This component of maintenance of certification is now part of the requirement for a total of 100 self-evaluation points (see The Modified ABIM Framework below).

Part 3

Cognitive Expertise: fulfilled by passing a secure examination, which is currently computer-based and administered at computer centers. A list of centers and more information about computer-based testing are available on ABIM Web site (www.abim.org). For more details about the writing of the ABIM recertification exam, please see the detailed description provided by ABIM about the exam development process.

Part 4

Evaluation of Performance in Practice: a modified ABIM framework that was instituted in 2006 now includes a required component of evaluating performance in practice. ABIM has offered several options by which candidates can fulfill this requirement, and these are described in detail on the ABIM website. This component of maintenance of certification is now part of the requirement for a total of 100 self-evaluation points (see The Modified ABIM Framework below).

For specific information about enrolling in the program, ordering modules, or registering for an exam see the ABIM Web site (www.abim.org) or call the ABIM help line at 800-441-2246, ext. 3598.

The Modified ABIM Framework

As of January 2006, the previous requirement for completion of five ABIM SEP modules evolved into a “point system” requirement that incorporates flexible options for self-assessment of knowledge and practice performance.

Each candidate now needs to complete a total of 100 self-evaluation points as part of the maintenance of certification process. The same points are applicable to all certificates and are valid for 10 years (i.e. extra points are not needed if a candidate is applying for both internal medicine and a subspecialty within the 10 year period during which the points are valid).

The required 100 points are divided in the following way:

• minimum of 20 points must relate to self-evaluation of medical knowledge;
• a minimum of 20 points must relate to self-evaluation of practice performance;
• and 60 points are elective and can relate to either category of self-evaluation.

ABIM now offers Annual Update modules to meet the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge requirement for Maintenance of Certification. Successful completion of an Annual Update module is worth 10 points. More information on ABIM modules is available at at abim.org

If you subscribe to MKSAP 14, you may use eight modules that are part of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification program. Completing each of these MKSAP Maintenance of Certification (MKSAP MOC II) modules qualifies you for 10 Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge points in the program, for a total of 80 points.

In addition, if you also subscribe to MKSAP 14 Self-Assessment Updates, you can now answer the questions in Updates 3 and 4 to earn up to 40 Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge points and up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. The Self-Assessment Updates are offered as an enhancement to MKSAP 14 and as part of the MKSAP 14 Complete package.

Besides being a subscriber to MKSAP 14, you must be enrolled in ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification program to earn Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge points.

You can use combinations of the MKSAP MOC II Modules MKSAP 14 Self-Assessment Updates 3 and 4 to earn up to 80 Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge points, the maximum permitted. Or, if you prefer, you can combine the MKSAP MOC II Modules with the ABIM Medical Knowledge Modules, including the new ABIM Annual Update Modules.

Here is how to earn your points:

• To earn points with the MKSAP MOC II Modules, you will need to provide your ABIM Maintenance of Certification program registration number after clicking on the “Download MKSAP MOC II” button below and after downloading the MKSAP MOC II Modules. You will also need either your membership number or the username and password that are associated with your MKSAP 14 subscription. After successfully completing each MKSAP MOC II Module, you will be able to submit your answers directly to ABIM.

• To earn points with MKSAP 14 Self-Assessment Updates 3 and 4, you will need to download the Updates from the following site: mksap.acponline.org/updates/. After answering all of the questions, you can submit for the points on line by filling out a special window that will appear at the bottom of the answer sheet. Remember: You will need to provide your ABIM candidate number. On this same page, you can also submit online for up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

MKSAP cannot be used to earn points toward the ABIM’s requirement for Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance. Information on Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance is available at the ABIM Web site. For complete details about the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program, visit www.abim.org/moc/.

Credit for Self-Evaluation of Practice

A variety of options are now available for fulfilling the 20 point minimum requirement for self-evaluation of practice, and more will be available in the future. The number of points given for each option depends upon the amount of work involved.

There are three basic components to this self-evaluation of practice:

1) measuring practice performance from data that the physician collects or receives from another source
2) developing and implementing a plan for improvement;
3) assessing the impact of the improvement plan

Options that are now available for assessing practice performance include:

• ABIM Practice Improvement Modules (PIMs)
• ABIM survey modules (Peer and Patient Survey)
• Performance improvement programs that have been established by national societies, such as ACP’s Closing the Gap program
• Self-directed quality measurement and improvement, in which measurement data have typically been collected and provided by other sources

Credit for performance assessment is given with completion of one of these options; there is no grade given and thus no “passing” score. The ABIM’s PIMs and the Peer and Patient Survey count as 20 to 40 points, depending upon the particular module. The ABIM assigns points for Society-based options and for self-directed quality measurement and improvement options according to pre-established standards and criteria. See the ABIM website for further details about the requirement for self-evaluation of practice.

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