Medical Simulation Technology Offers Interventional Cardiologists New Self-Evaluation Opportunity
ABIM has introduced an exciting new option for interventional cardiology diplomates to earn credit toward completion of the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge requirement for Maintenance of Certification. The Interventional Cardiology Simulations is the first-ever ABIM-developed lab-based simulation that provides an opportunity to perform cases that mirror what an interventional cardiologist would typically face in daily practice.
As an alternative to a traditional open-book medical knowledge module that is completed online, physicians complete the Interventional Cardiology Simulations on-site at one of Medical Simulation Corporation’s six SimSuite® education centers, located at major medical schools across the United States. In addition, temporary sites will be available at several cardiology meetings and conferences during 2008. (See accompanying list of conferences and locations.) SimSuite technology replicates a real-life cath lab suite, and the five case scenarios developed by ABIM include common problems faced by interventional cardiologists, using clinical scenarios covering a range of difficulty.
About The Simulation Suite
During the SimSuite session, which lasts between two and three hours, diplomates will perform cases on “Simantha,” a life-size mannequin, and answer two questionnaires. The simulator also includes six monitors that show displays found in an angiographic suite, and multimedia characters representing the patient, assistants and mentors.
Information on the simulated patient includes a pre-brief patient history and procedure simulation. The pre-brief patient history displays information about the patient and lists drugs given and examinations performed prior to the procedure. Diplomates completing the cases apply their practice knowledge and judgment in a real-time fashion. The system records comprehensive performance data which can be used separately or combined to create metrics for each scenario. Feedback will be provided to the diplomate once the data is analyzed by ABIM. Proctors will provide training in the use of the simulation technology and will allow you to practice on a training case before you begin the five simulations. Once finished, you will be asked to complete two surveys, one about your experience on the simulator and one about your interventional cardiology experience.
“The Interventional Cardiology Simulations represent the first time that ABIM has applied a simulation technology tool as a means of understanding cognitive and procedural proficiency as part of the self-evaluation component of Maintenance of Certification,” said Rebecca S. Lipner, PhD, Vice President of Psychometrics and Research Analysis at ABIM. “We believe that simulation reflects many of the experiences interventional cardiologists may face in practice, and we are planning to expand the number of available cases. In addition, we continue to explore applying simulation technology to the self-assessment process in various subspecialties.”
ABIM Foundation-supported research found that the case simulations and scoring methodology provided a sufficiently valid and reliable tool to be incorporated into the self-evaluation component of Maintenance of Certification.
Maintenance of Certification Credit
Diplomates will receive 20 points of Maintenance of Certification credit in the Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge category as soon as they submit evidence of completion of the simulations to ABIM. There is no pass/fail status for completing the simulations but you must complete all five cases and two surveys to receive credit and a detailed report of your performance. While the Interventional Cardiology Simulations are most relevant for interventional cardiologists, they can be used by other cardiologists as well as internists and other subspecialists for credit toward Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge.
Next Steps For Interested Diplomates
The process for registering to complete the Interventional Cardiology Simulations is similar to that for ordering and completing other ABIM self-assessment products:
- Diplomates enrolled in Maintenance of Certification can register for a simulator session at one of the SimSuite education centers or during several major cardiology society meetings and conferences throughout the year.
- The cost of the simulation session is covered by your Maintenance of Certification fee, but you are responsible for the cost of travel to a SimSuite education center. In addition, you will be charged a $35 fee only if you cancel, fail to arrive, or reschedule your appointment within a week of the session date.
For questions about the Interventional Cardiology Simulations, call ABIM’s Contact Center at 1-800-441-ABIM, ext. 4126. Visit www.abim.org for updated listings about availability of SimSuite temporary sites at cardiology society meetings and conferences.
SimSuite® Education Center Locations:
Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)
Swedish Heart Institute at Swedish Medical Center (Seattle, WA)
University of California Davis Medical Center (Sacremento, CA)
Riverside Methodist Hospital (Columbus, OH)
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) (part-time)
Methodist Hospital (Houston, TX) (part-time)
2008 Conferences with SimSuite® Education Centers:
ACC – i2/SCAI, March 30 – April 1, 2008 (registration closed)
Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA), September 23 – 26, 2008
Transcatheter Cardiac Therapeutics (TCT), Tentative in October 2008
