For Dr. Weber, the pilot provides a new approach to learning and assessment that offers several advantages over the single high-stakes exam. Among these advantages is the focus on concurrent and continuous assessment and learning that helps diplomates keep up with the current literature and evidence-based medicine.
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February 2017“The goal,” said Dr. Weber, “is to ensure that practicing physicians have correct medical knowledge so they can provide evidence-based care for their patients.”
Mary Beth Nierengarten is a freelance medical writer based in Minnesota.
Benefits of CertLink
By providing a web-based assessment platform, CertLink offers a number of benefits:
- It can be configured to meet the specific needs of each member board and diplomate community, including modifications to frequency and assessment requirements. According to Rich Waters, MBA, CAE, vice president of Marketing and Communications at the ABMS, some boards are even allowing their diplomates to tailor the exam to their actual practice.
- It is offered via a mobile format.
- It offers immediate, real-time feedback on performance and knowledge strengths and weaknesses, which is beneficial to continuous and lifelong learning.
Additional MOCA Innovations
Other MOCA innovations currently being explored by ABMS Member Boards include the following:
- Trial of Aggregate Data Exchange for Maintenance of certification and Raising Quality (TRADEMaRQ): A family medicine registry pilot developed by the American Board of Family Medicine.
- ABMS Multi-Specialty Portfolio Programs: Currently, 21 of 24 Member Boards are involved in these programs, in which physicians at more than 80 hospitals, health systems, and healthcare organizations participate in multi-discipline, team-based quality improvement and patient safety programs to improve patient care. Participating physicians can receive MOC Part IV credit for work in these activities.