Osteopathic certification evolving into a continuous certification model.
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Specialty board certification, though voluntary, has become an indispensable designation for many osteopathic physicians. The authors report rates of osteopathic specialty board certification and recertification for osteopathic physicians. Earlier this year, at the recommendation of the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees approved the use of an osteopathic continuous certification model by member boards. This model firmly establishes osteopathic specialty board certification as an ongoing process that ensures physician competence and patient safety. The various components involved in the implementation of this new methodology are outlined, including practice performance assessment. As the healthcare environment continues to evolve, the American Osteopathic Association, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, and the 18 osteopathic specialty boards continue to adapt to meet the professional needs of osteopathic physicians. (+info)
Development of a core competency model for the master of public health degree.
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The influence of double-credit evidence-based continuing medical education on presenters and learners.
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BACKGROUND: Medical specialties are adopting methods to improve continuing medical education (CME). A "double credit" option, sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, is now available for presentations submitted and approved as evidence based (EB). PURPOSE: To compare usual and double-credit CME presentations to determine differences in preparation resources and time, and to compare conference attendees' satisfaction. Those not submitting double-credit applications were asked about perceived barriers. METHODS: Three pretested, written surveys were administered at a 2.5 day CME conference held annually in Southeastern Wisconsin. Subjects were 38 presenters and 172 attendees, mostly primary care physicians. RESULTS: Twelve presentations were approved for double-credit; these presenters used a greater percentage of on-line EB resources to prepare their talks (64% versus 23%), and preparation required an additional 4.75 hours on average. Over 90% of attendees perceived greater conference quality due to the EB emphasis. Top barriers to double-credit EB applications were time limits and perceptions that topics were inappropriate. CONCLUSIONS: Double-credit presenters use a greater percentage of EB resources, while their counterparts used more professional experience to prepare CME presentations. Attendees reported improved quality and value with increased EB CME. Time is a perceived and real factor in preparing double-credit applications. (+info)
CUSUM analysis of J-pouch surgery reflects no learning curve after board certification.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in morbidity and mortality associated with ileal J-pouch surgery performed during the first 3 years of a single surgeon's practice to determine the presence or absence of a learning curve after fellowship training. METHODS: From July 2002 to July 2005, an observational study of postoperative outcomes was undertaken, in which 30-day and inhospital morbidity and mortality were assessed. A total of 37 patients (17 women and 20 men) underwent the surgery; their average age was 32 (range 16-51) years. The operation was performed for ulcerative colitis n = 31), familial adenomatous polyposis n = 4) and indeterminate colitis n = 2); 32 were diverted and 5 were not. Predicted morbidity and mortality were 31.66% and 1.47%, respectively. Observed morbidity and mortality were 29.7% and 0%, respectively. I used a risk-adjusted cumulative sum (CUSUM) model to compare observed outcomes with predicted outcomes according to a validated scoring system and to analyze outcomes with adjusting for risk on a case-by-case basis. RESULTS: CUSUM analysis revealed a flat curve trending down over the duration. CONCLUSION: CUSUM methodology permits documentation of quality control during the first 3 years of practice. The experience of a single board-certified colorectal surgeon reveals acceptable results in the first 3 years of practice, with no obvious learning curve. The results suggest that fellowship training and board certification conferred reasonable proficiency in J-pouch surgery before the onset of practice. (+info)
Development and results of the first ABMS subspecialty Certification Examination in Sleep Medicine.
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In November 2007, the first Certification Examination in Sleep Medicine was administered to 1,882 candidates under the cosponsorship of five member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)--the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Board of Pediatrics, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. The pass rate was 73%. This paper chronicles the history of a certification examination in Sleep Medicine and the development of this new ABMS examination. (+info)
The need for national medical licensing examination in Saudi Arabia.
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Health information systems and physician quality: role of the American board of pediatrics maintenance of certification in improving children's health care.
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