Pub. 3 2019 Issue 2

By Michael K. Magill, M.D. Not Your Grandfather’s ABFM A re you certified or planning to seek certification by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)? If so, you should know that change has come to the ABFM, and more is on the way! Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening with your board: New leadership. Warren Newton, M.D., is the new Presi- dent/CEO of the board, joined by Libby Baxley, M.D., as executive vice president. Both are dynamic, forward-thinking family physicians dedicated to ensuring the ABFM serves diplomates, patients, and the public in support of better health for all. They are supported by a diverse and energetic board of directors and staff fully committed to modernizing board certification to promote excellence in family medicine. Communication and collaboration. ABFM has launched new collaborations with members of the “family of family medicine,” especially communicating with AAFP and state chapters. Leaders and board members are fanning out across the country to keep you informed and seek your input. I invite you to take a look at the revamped ABFM website at www.theabfm.com . It has an extensive ar- ray of information you may find handy in facilitating your continued certification. Also, we have launched a new ABFM Engagement Network to seek input from interested diplomates. Engagement Network members will be invited to provide rapid feedback and suggestions about Board developments. Sign up for the ABFM Engagement Network at www.theabfm.org/volunteer Certification. A periodic examination is the main way you demonstrate your continued cognitive expertise in family medicine. Starting in 2020, the every-10-year certification examination will be shorter: now just 300 questions. Also, we are piloting an important alternative to the periodic certification examination, called Family Medicine Certifica- tion Longitudinal Assessment (FMCLA). Offered to diplo- mates scheduled for the certification examination in 2019 and 2020 (and anticipated to be available for future years as well), FMCLA can be completed by answering 25 ques- tions provided online each quarter and achieving a passing score on 300 questions over three to four years. Referenc- ing is allowed, and each question has a five-minute limit. Immediate feedback is provided about each answer, along with a critique explaining the answers and the references cited, so you can read them if you desire. Thus, FMCLA may fit in more efficiently with your practice, not requiring time and expense of travel to a secure testing center. Even more importantly, it also supports continued learning — which is the most frequent feedback comment we receive. More than 70% of eligible diplomates have elected to enter FM- CLA, but nearly 30% of diplomates have told us they prefer the episodic exam, so that will still be an option. You can learn more about FMCLA at www.utahafp.org/ABFM. Self Assessment and Continuing Medical Education. The newest option for you to assess your knowledge gaps and plan your continued learning is the Continu- ous Knowledge Self Assessment (CKSA). The platform is similar to the FMCLA, with 25 questions quarterly sent to you online, along with immediate feedback and critique, but without time limits and without a requirement for a certain percentage of correct answers. I am one of over 31,000 diplomates participating in this option. I do it on my phone, and can verify that it works great, is easy, and a convenient way to learn! You can find out more about the new platform at www.utahafp.org/ABFM. The Knowledge Self Assessments (KSAs: 60 questions on a clinical topic) remain available and are soon to undergo a refresh with some new topics being added. These can be completed individually or in the popular Group KSA sessions www.UtahAFP.org | 28