ABIM Certification: What ID Subspecialists Should Know

Certification demonstrates that physicians have met rigorous standards through intensive study, self-assessment and evaluation. Physicians who are Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) can choose to complete the requirements for ABIM Board Certification in Infectious Disease.

Maintenance of Certification promotes lifelong learning and the enhancement of the clinical judgment and skills essential for high quality patient care. Every 10 years, internists and subspecialists (including infectious disease specialists) certified in or after 1990 renew their certification through ABIM's Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Those certified prior to that date are strongly urged to participate since the program helps improve the quality of care delivered to patients.

Click below for more information on:

REQUIREMENTS FOR ABIM MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC) 

RESOURCES FOR SELF-EVALUATION OF MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE 

RESOURCES FOR SELF-EVALUATION OF PRACTICE PERFORMANCE 

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM IDSA 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ABIM MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)

See www.abim.org for complete information.

VERIFY YOUR CREDENTIALS
You must possess a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine. If you have a history of substance abuse, you must verify at least one year of continuous sobriety.

COMPLETE THE SELF-EVALUATION REQUIREMENT
You must earn a total of 100 points of self-evaluation in two categories: medical knowledge and practice performance. A minimum of 20 points is required in each category and the remaining 60 points can be from either medical knowledge, practice performance or both.

• Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge — ABIM medical knowledge modules provide evidence of engagement in periodic self-assessment to guide continuing learning. Each module allows you to perform a diagnostic self-assessment of your strengths and weaknesses in important aspects of the knowledge base underlying each certification area. Most medical knowledge modules are worth 10 points each and contain 25 multiple-choice questions. A new Annual Update in Infectious Disease is introduced every year. There are always three modules available.
  
• Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance — ABIM Practice Improvement Modules® (PIMs) are web-based tools that enable you to conduct a confidential self-evaluation of the medical care you provide.  PIMs help you gain knowledge about your practice through data analysis, which you use to develop and implement a plan to target areas of improvement. PIM options for infectious disease specialists include HIV, Hepatitis C, Hospital-Based Patient Care, Communication – Subspecialists, Communication with Referring Physicians, and the Self-Directed PIM. PIMs are worth 20 or 40 points each, depending on the module chosen.

PASS THE SECURE EXAM IN YOUR DISCIPLINE
You can take the exam beginning in the sixth year of your certification. MOC exams in Infectious Disease are offered in the spring and fall of each year. Note that you can take the exam BEFORE you complete all 100 points of self-assessment.

START NOW!

• ABIM strongly recommends spreading the self-evaluation and exam components over the 10-year period of your certification.
• Give yourself ample time to complete the program by enrolling early in your 10-year cycle.
• You may register for and take the exam any time in years six through 10 of your certification.
• Important: You should plan on about three months to complete a PIM (which is required to earn your points for Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance).  Be sure to allow ample time to order and complete the PIM, especially if you are in the tenth year of your certification.
• When you complete MOC, you will be eligible to receive a new certification that is valid for 10 years.
  • Your new certification will take effect when your old one expires.
  • If you have a time-limited certification that has expired or if you hold a time-unlimited certification, your new certification will become effective in the year you complete the program.
  • Your name and Certification dates will be listed on the "Verify a Physician’s Certification" page at www.abim.org and in the Directory of Board-Certified Internists, published by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

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RESOURCES FOR SELF-EVALUATION OF MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE

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RESOURCES FOR SELF-EVALUATION OF PRACTICE PERFORMANCE

• Complete self-evaluation modules to earn 100 points:
  • 20 points in Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge
  • 20 points in Practice Improvement Module (PIM)
  • 60 points from either Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge, Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance or a combination of both
  • In other words, as long as you earn 20 points from medical knowledge and 20 points of practice performance, the remaining 60 points may be from either medical knowledge, practice performance or both

If you are renewing more than one certification (e.g., Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine):

• You can apply the 100 points you have earned – as outlined above – toward the renewal of both certifications, provided that the points are still valid at the time your second certificate expires. (Once your points are earned when you complete a module, they are valid for 10 years.)
• You will need to take the exam for both certifications you are renewing.

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM IDSA

Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge
IDSA-sponsored group learning events where knowledge modules are completed using audience response systems and faculty directed discussion of likely correct and incorrect answers and pertinent teaching points surrounding the question. This is offered at the IDSA Annual Meeting and in the Wake Forest/University of Virginia course offered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina each June (20 points).

IDSA is developing two Web-based MOC modules – one in general Infectious Diseases and one in HIV Medicine to be available in the spring of 2010.
IDSA’s modules will consist of 25 multiple-choice questions to include patient case information, links to resources, and rationales for answers. These activities are tools for self-assessment of medical knowledge as it relates to general infectious diseases and HIV Medicine. After successful completion of the activity or activities, ABIM diplomates are eligible to receive 10 points toward the required 20 in self-evaluation of medical knowledge. Participants can also earn a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits for completion of IDSA modules.

Pass Maintenance of Certification Secure Exam
The Vincent T. Andriole Board Review Course, offered at the IDSA Annual Meeting, helps physicians pass the secure examination.

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