Chairs' Message
We are pleased to have this opportunity to comment on cardiovascular disease and its subspecialties and ABIM’s related work with Maintenance of Certification.
The Subspecialty Board on Cardiovascular Disease and the test committees for interventional cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology work closely with ABIM’s Test Development staff to develop questions for both the Certification and Maintenance of Certification exams in their respective areas. Made up of practicing physicians and leaders in academic medicine, the committees conduct an intensive review and development process and work to ensure that the questions remain relevant to the real-life knowledge and understanding you need in your practice.
The evolving specialties of cardiology are characterized by the accelerated development of new technologies that are changing and improving practice. ABIM has enhanced its Certification and Maintenance of Certification programs to reflect these changes.
ABIM is committed to ensuring that the Maintenance of Certification program reflects the specific needs and interests of cardiologists, while at the same time provides an opportunity to stay current with the latest developments in the field. For example, ABIM now offers Interventional Cardiology Simulations as a new way to earn credit for Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge. In addition, ABIM also is developing Annual Update modules for each subspecialty. These are being introduced at a rate of one per year.
The list of Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance options is also growing. ABIM offers PIMsm Practice Improvement Modules in Preventive Cardiology and Hypertension, worth 40 points each, and the Self-Directed PIM (also worth 20 points) can be completed using data from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) National Cardiovascular Data Registry.
ABIM invites your feedback and comments on your experience with Maintenance of Certification.
