Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge
Maintenance of Certification requires you to earn 100 points of self-evaluation, with a minimum of 20 points in Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge. This section provides important details on how to meet the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge requirement.
- ABIM's Medical Knowledge Modules
- Self-Assessment Products Developed by Other Professional Organizations
- CME Credit for ABIM Medical Knowledge Modules and Self-Assessment Products
- List of Medical Knowledge Modules
- Maintenance of Certification Learning Sessions
- Learning Session Schedule
- Medical Simulations
ABIM's Medical Knowledge Modules
Medical knowledge modules provide evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning and involvement 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.
ABIM Medical Knowledge Module Highlights:
- Maintenance of Certification Points: 10 or 20 per module.
- Format: Web-based or CD, with hyperlinks to educational material from professional societies.
- Content: 25 to 60 multiple-choice questions, all of which have been reviewed for clinical relevance by full-time practitioners certified in the area of the module. Most modules address content within a single area of Certification; however, a few (such as Clinical Skills and Women's Health) may be broadly applicable to several disciplines within internal medicine.
- Timetable/process for completion: Each ABIM medical knowledge module must be completed to ABIM within 90 days. You will receive a score report that confirms whether or not the module was completed successfully. The status of the modules you have completed successfully will appear on your status report. (Successful completion of each module is determined by the use of a performance standard set by ABIM. If a module has not been completed successfully, you may retake the module as often as necessary, without additional charge.)
Order a medical knowledge module
New! ABIM Annual Update Modules
ABIM now offers Annual Update modules that you can use to meet the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge requirement for Maintenance of Certification. Successful completion of an Annual Update module is worth 10 points.
- Annual Update modules enable you to keep up with recent, clinically relevant developments in your Certification area, presented in a streamlined format of 25 multiple-choice questions.
- Update modules may include questions on important new topics such as quality improvement, patient safety, and systems-based practice, as well as fundamental topics of continuing importance to practitioners.
Three-year Transition in Availability of Medical Knowledge Modules
Important: The Annual Update modules will gradually replace all other medical knowledge modules.
- From now through 2009, the Update modules will be published at a rate of one per year for each ABIM Certification area.
- In 2009 and thereafter, general internists and subspecialists will have access to three Annual Update modules in their primary discipline during each year that they are enrolled in the Maintenance of Certification program. Each module will be available for three years.
ABIM Clinical Skills Modules
- Provides 20 Maintenance of Certification Points per module.
- Format consists of CD with Web-Access.
- The 60 questions in this module test basic physical examination and clinical communications skills.
- Each question contains one or more video, audio or photographic enhancements simulating clinical scenarios showing auscultation of the heart and lungs, interpretation of percussion notes, choice of examination maneuvers, and physician-patient interactions.
- A headset is included with the module for use with audio-based questions.
Timetable for completion (pdf).
TopSelf-Assessment Products Developed by Other Professional Organizations
Another option for earning points toward the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge requirement is completion of self-assessment products from other organizations. Recognizing that physicians may be completing a variety of self-assessment programs to evaluate and improve their medical knowledge, ABIM has designated several educational self-assessment products developed by professional medical societies or other member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) that can be used to earn self-evaluation points toward Maintenance of Certification. Review the list of Medical Knowledge Modules to see if your society or board products have been approved for use in ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification program.
Important reminders about products from other organizations used to earn self-evaluation points toward ABIM's Maintenance of Certification program:
- Contact the respective organization directly for more information and details about ordering and completing these products.
- Self-evaluation points toward Maintenance of Certification will vary from product to product.
- The providing organization may charge an additional fee for use of its product.
- The fees charged by these organizations are separate from ABIM's Maintenance of Certification fee.
CME Credit for ABIM Medical Knowledge Modules and Self-Assessment Products
Modules developed by societies can be applied toward meeting ABIM's Maintenance of Certification point requirement; however, ABIM does not grant Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit for others' self-assessment products nor its own medical knowledge modules. Only the educational organizations that developed the programs can grant CME credit to ABIM-certified physicians. CME credit for ABIM modules is available through a program jointly sponsored by the American College of Physicians (ACP) and ABIM. Completion of any ABIM module qualifies for up to 18 Category 1 CME credits through this program. The maximum number of credits per module will vary, depending on the particular module. See Policies and Procedures for CME Credit for more details. Consult the listing of Available Modules below for additional details about available products, according to subspecialty.
TopList of Medical Knowledge Modules
Options for Completing Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge Modules
All currently available ABIM medical knowledge modules are listed below, arranged by specialty, including the recently introduced Annual Update modules. Currently available society-developed products that are recognized for self-evaluation points toward Maintenance of Certification are also included. Note: While ABIM medical knowledge modules for subspecialties are available to all ABIM-certified physicians, they are targeted to those who have earned certificates in these areas. If you are not certified or formally trained in the given subspecialty, you may find these modules more challenging than modules in your Certification area. ABIM encourages you to select modules that fit with your self-assessment goals.
- Internal Medicine Medical Knowledge Modules
- Subspecialty Medical Knowledge Modules
- Clinical Skills Module
Internal Medicine Medical Knowledge Modules
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| * ACP members only | |||
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | ACP* |
| Hospital-Based Internal Medicine (formerly Inpatient Internal Medicine) |
Now through 2008 | 20 | ACP* |
| Office-Based Internal Medicine (formerly Outpatient Internal Medicine) |
Now through 2008 | 20 | ACP* |
| Women's Health | Now through August, 2008 | 20 | ACP* |
| 2007 Update in Hospital-Based Internal Medicine | Now through 2009 | 10 | ACP* |
| 2007 Update in Office-Based Internal Medicine (formerly Comprehensive Internal Medicine) | Now through 2009 | 10 | ACP* |
| 2008 Update in Hospital-Based Internal Medicine | July, 2008 | 10 | - |
| 2008 Update in Office-Based Internal Medicine | July, 2008 | 10 | - |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| MKSAP Maintenance of Certification Modules (Questions are derived from MKSAP 13 and 14). Contact ACP | Now through July 31, 2008 (submission deadline 12/31/08) | 20 each | ACP |
| MKSAP MOC II Modules (Questions are derived from MKSAP 14). Contact ACP | Now | 10 each | ACP |
Subspecialty Medical Knowledge Modules
This subspecialty list includes:
Adolescent Medicine
Cardiovascular Disease
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Critical Care Medicine
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Geriatric Medicine
Hematology
Infectious Disease
Interventional Cardiology
Medical Oncology
Nephrology
Pulmonary Disease
Rheumatology
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (A) | Now through 2010 | 20 | None |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| ACCSAP-6 Practice Exam. Contact ACC | Now | 100 | ACC |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | SCCM |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | SCCM |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | - |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| ACCP MOC Critical Care Medicine Module I Contact ACCP |
Now | 20 | ACCP |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| Endocrine Self-Assessment Program (ESAP 2008) Contact ES |
May, 2008 | 60 | ES |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| * Paper monograph only. | |||
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | AGA* |
| Hepatology | Now through 2008 | 20 | AASLD |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| ACG-SAP-MOC. Contact ACG | Now | 20 | ACG |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| GRS, 6th Edition. Contact AGS | Now | 100 | AGS |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | June, 2008 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| ASH-SAP/MOC, 3rd Edition. Contact ASH | May 2007 | 70 | ASH |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Interventional Cardiology Simulations | Now | 20 | N/A |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (A) | Now through June, 2008 | 20 | None |
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | July, 2008 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| NephSAP Contact ASN | Now | 10 per issue | ASN |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| ACCP MOC Pulmonary Disease Module I Contact ACCP |
Now | 20 | ACCP |
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Advances | Now through 2008 | 20 | None |
| 2007 Update | Now through 2009 | 10 | None |
| 2008 Update | Now through 2010 | 10 | None |
| Self-assessment product(s) from another organization. | |||
| CARE Program, 2006. Contact ACR | Now through 2009 | 20 | ACR |
| CARE Program, 2007. Contact ACR | Now through 2010 | 20 | ACR |
Clinical Skills Module
| Area and Module / Product Name | Availability | Points | Societies Providing Educational Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| * ACP members only | |||
| Clinical Skills Module | Now | 20 | AACH, ACP* |
Maintenance of Certification Learning Sessions
ABIM collaborates with a select group of medical societies, hospitals, health systems and medical groups to offer diplomates an opportunity to participate in Maintenance of Certification Learning Sessions (previously Self-Evaluation Process Learning Sessions). Learning Sessions provide ABIM-certified physicians with an option for earning credit toward the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge requirement of the Maintenance of Certification program.
To participate and earn credit:
- Register with the hosting organization.
- Order a copy of the module, then submit answers to ABIM for scoring, CME and Maintenance of Certification credit.
Important information:
- The hosting organization may charge a fee that is separate from ABIM's Maintenance of Certification fee.
- Register before ordering the module as space may be limited.
- Points earned for the successful completion of a specific ABIM medical knowledge module can be applied one time only in order to receive Maintenance of Certification for that module.
Below is a current list of upcoming sessions and host organizations. Check this list often as additional sessions are announced regularly.
TopLearning Session Schedule
May 13, 2008
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
Orlando, FL
Module(s) Utilized: Endocrinology (23-R)
May 13, 2008
American College of Physicians
Washington, DC
Module(s) Utilized: Internal Medicine Recent Advances(20-R)
May 14, 2008
American College of Physicians
Washington, DC
Module(s) Utilized: 2007 Update in Hospital-Based Internal Medicine (A0-E)
May 14, 2008
American College of Physicians
Washington, DC
Module(s) Utilized: 2007 update in Office-Based Internal Medicine (CO-D)
May 16, 2008
Toronto, Canada
Module(s) Utilized:
- Critical Care 2007 Update (A2-E) &
- Pulmonary Disease 2007 Update (A9-E)
May 17, 2008
Heart Rhythm Society
San Francisco, CA
Module(s) Utilized: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, 2007 Update (B3-E)
www.hrsonline.org
May 20, 2008
American Gastroenterological Association
San Diego, CA
Module(s) Utilized: Gastroenterology Recent Advances (24-R)
May 21, 2008
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
San Diego, CA
Module(s) Utilized: Gastroenterology-Hepatology (93-H)
www.aasld.org
May 30, 2008
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Chicago, IL
Module(s) Utilized: Medical Oncology 2008 Update
June 7, 2008
Cleveland, OH
Module(s) Utilized:
- 2007 Update in Hospital-Based Internal Medicine &
- 2007 Update in Office-Based Internal Medicine
June 14, 2008
The Endocrine Society
San Francisco, CA
Module(s) Utilized: Endocrinology 2007 Update (A3-E)
www.endo-society.org
July 13-18, 2008
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Module(s) Utilized: Internal Medicine Recent Advances (20-R)
www.hopkinscme.edu/coursedetail.aspx?course_code=80019283
July 16, 2008
Rochester, MN
Module(s) Utilized:
- Internal Medicine Office-Based (87-F) (formerly outpatient) &
- 2007 Update in Hospital-Based Internal Medicine (A0-E)
July 24, 2008
Bronx, NY
Module(s) Utilized:
- Recent Advances in Infectious Disease (26-R) &
- 2007 Update in Infectious Disease (A6-E)
http://www.aecom.yu.edu/infectious_diseases/page.aspx?id=1212&ekmensel=302_submenu_0_link_5
August 3-4, 2008
Chicago, IL
Module(s) Utilized:
- Critical Care Medicine (22-R)
- Critical Care Medicine, 2007 Update (A2-E)
- Critical Care Medicine, 2008 Update
- IM-Hospital Based (88-G) formerly Inpatient
- Pulmonary Disease, 2007 Update (A9-E)
- Pulmonary Disease, 2008 Update
August 23, 2008
Dallas, TX
Module(s) Utilized:
- Interventional Cardiology 2007 Update (B2-E) &
- Interventional Cardiology 2008 Update
August 23-24, 2008
Rochester, MN
Module(s) Utilized:
- Recent Advances Internal Medicine (20R)
- Hospital-Based Internal Medicine (88G)
- 2007 Update in Hospital-Based Internal Medicine (A0-E) &
- 2007 Update in Office-Based Internal Medicine (C0-D)
September 6, 2008
Lake Las Vegas, NV
Module(s) Utilized:
- Cardiovascular Disease 2007 Update (A1-E-07)
- Cardiovascular Disease 2008 Update (A1-E-08)
September 11, 2008
ACP, Missouri Chapter
Lake Ozark, MO
Module(s) Utilized: Internal Medicine: 2007 Update in Hospital Based Medicine (A0-E)
www.acponline.org/chapters/mo/news_meet.htm
September 12, 2008
American College of Physicians - Michigan Chapter
Dearborn, MI
Module Utilized: Geriatric Medicine 2007 Update (B1-E)
www.acponline.org/chapters/mi
September 13, 2008
American College of Physicians - Michigan Chapter
Dearborn, MI
Module Utilized: IM-Hospital Based 2007 Update (A0E)
www.acponline.org/chapters/mi
September 24, 2008
Boston, MA
Module(s) Utilized:
- Clinical Endocrinology Update (CEU) 2008 Meeting
- Recent Advances in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism (23-R)
October 1, 2008
Geisinger Health System
Danville, PA
Module Utilized: Hospital Based Internal Medicine (88-G)
www.geisinger.org/professionals/education/index.html
October 24, 2008
San Francisco, CA
Module(s) Utilized:
- Rheumatology 2007 Update (B0-E)
- Rheumatology 2008 Update (B0-E-08)
October 24, 2008
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Washington, DC
Module Utilized: Infectious Disease 2008 Update (A6-F)
www.idsociety.org
November 14, 2008
American College of Physicians - Texas Chapter
Dallas, TX
Module(s) Utilized: Internal Medicine, Office-Based 2008 Update
www.taim.org
March 20, 2009
Geisinger Health System
Danville, PA
Module Utilized: Office Based Internal Medicine (87-F)
www.geisinger.org/professionals/education/index.html
Medical Simulations
Earn 20 points of MOC credit and up to 10 hours of CME credit by completing a medical simulation, which provides hands-on opportunity to perform cases that mirror what a physician would typically face in daily practice. The simulations are completed on-site at one of Medical Simulation Corporation's SimSuite® education centers, and are also offered at several meetings and conferences throughout the year.
Simulations currently offered by ABIM
Interventional Cardiology – Five ABIM-Developed Cases
Locations
Medical Simulation Corporation SimSuite® Centers at:
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- Swedish Heart Institute at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA
- University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
- Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH
- Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX (part time)
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (part time)
Meetings/Conferences:
- American College of Cardiology (ACC): i2/SCAI, March 30-April 1, 2008
- Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA): September 23-26, 2008
- Transcatheter Cardiac Therapeutics (TCT): Tentative in October 2008
How to register
- In order to register, you must be enrolled in Maintenance of Certification.
- Select “Interventional Cardiology Simulations” under Interventional Cardiology on the Order Self-Evaluation Module page. You will be linked to the Medical Simulation Corporation website for additional details to complete your registration.
- The cost of the session is covered by your Maintenance of Certification fee. However, ABIM will charge you a $35 fee if you cancel, fail to arrive, or reschedule your appointment within a week of the session date. You are responsible for the cost of travel to a SimSuite® education center.
