MKSAP option part of enhanced recertification program

From the April ACP Observer, copyright © 2005 by the American College of Physicians.

Later this month, subscribers to ACP's popular MKSAP 13 program who are also enrolled in maintenance of certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) will have new options for self-evaluation credits. Those options are the first of several enhancements to the maintenance of certification program being rolled out over the next year.

ACP has created four electronic MKSAP modules that subscribers enrolled in recertification can download—at no additional charge—from ACP Online. When completed, each 60-question module will be worth the same amount of credit as each current self-evaluation process (SEP) module.

New MKSAP modules feature immediate feedback and educational links.

Unlike the paper-based SEP modules, however, the MSKAP modules will provide "immediate feedback to the candidate about whether the answer is right or wrong," said Steven E. Weinberger, FACP, the College's Senior Vice President for Medical Knowledge and Education. Physicians who answer a question correctly then can access that question's critique and discussion elements, key MKSAP features.

For incorrect answers, "candidates will be directed to related MKSAP educational content and have a second opportunity to answer," Dr. Weinberger said. "That should link education to self-assessment much more directly."

'More flexibility'

Granting credit for the new MKSAP modules is the first of several program enhancements, most of which will take effect in January 2006. They include:

  • Switching to a point system. Beginning next year, the ABIM will base the program's self-evaluation portion on points, not a set number of modules. Recertifying physicians must complete 100 self-evaluation points in addition to taking the secure exam.

    Candidates will need to earn 20 points from modules pertaining to medical knowledge and skills, 20 from practice performance modules and the other 60 from elective modules of each candidate's choice. (Each new MKSAP module will be worth 20 points, so candidates who complete all four will receive 20 points for medical knowledge and skills and 60 elective points.)

    The advantage of a point system, said ABIM president Christine K. Cassel, MACP, is to "create more flexibility within the program." Assigning points will allow the ABIM to consider a wide range of self-evaluation tools from the College and other societies, as well as ones crafted by large medical groups, national quality organizations and even health plans. At the same time, building in 60 elective points, she said, will allow physicians to personalize the self-evaluation portion of recertification.

    "For some, practice assessment may be where they want to spend their efforts," said Dr. Cassel, who noted that the ABIM offers several practice performance modules. "Others will choose instead to focus on medical knowledge."

    Physicians renewing more than one certificate will need to accrue only one set of 100 points for all of their renewed certificates. (They will still need to take the corresponding number of exams.) Under the current module system, physicians must complete additional self-evaluation modules to renew more than one certificate.

    The new point system and practice performance requirement will not apply to physicians who complete their self-evaluation before January. They will apply, however, to those who have not completed all their self-evaluation components by then.

  • New fee schedule. The ABIM is also reconfiguring the timeframe covered when candidates pay to enroll in the program.

    Until January 2006, that payment allows candidates to participate in the program only until they successfully renew their certificate. After January, however, the fee will buy the candidates' participation in the program for 10 calendar years. During that time, even after candidates have successfully renewed one or more certificates, they will continue to have unlimited use of ABIM self-evaluation tools and earn continuing medical education credits—at no additional charge—for completing them.

    "Our intent," Dr. Cassel said, "is to ensure a more continuous and valuable educational process."

    Currently enrolled candidates who don't complete program requirements before Jan. 1 will be automatically converted to the new fee schedule and will be considered fully paid until 2016.

  • More test sites. The secure recertification exam, which is offered twice a year, is now being held in 200 different test sites around the country, twice the number of sites available a year ago.

    The ABIM is also establishing arrangements to allow physicians to submit data from their self-evaluation modules to different quality organizations. A case in point is ABIM's diabetes practice improvement module. Candidates who complete it as part of recertification now can submit that data to the National Committee for Quality Assurance's diabetes recognition program, making them eligible for awards that could lead to increased payment for treating diabetic patients.

For more information about changes in maintenance of certification, go online to www.abim.org or call 800-441-2246, ext. 3598.

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