—  AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL PATHOLOGY   —

Pathology Self–Assessment: Progression from the Resident Inservice Examination to Lifelong Maintenance of Certification


Barbara J. McKenna
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI


  1. The American Board of Medical Specialties
    1. The ABMS is an organization of 24 medical specialty boards (including the American Board of Pathology-ABP), that coordinates and directs the activities of the boards.

    2. The ABMS has directed that all boards shall issue time-limited certificates, and diplomates who wish to recertify must participate in a program of Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

    3. Maintenance of Certification is an ongoing process designed to document that physicians certified by a member board maintains competency.

    4. MOC has 4 components:
      1. Part I: Professional Standing

      2. Part II: Lifelong Learning and Assessment

      3. Part III: Cognitive Expertise

      4. Part IV: Practice Performance
    5. The ABMS expects close cooperation between certifying boards and specialty societies in conducting part of MOC, particulary parts II and IV. There are many examples of such collaboration in other specialties.


  2. The American Board of Pathology
    1. The first time-limited certificates will be issued in 2006. Thereafter, all time-limited certificate holders must participate in a program of MOC, as defined by the ABP

    2. The first cognitive examination for recertification (Part III) will be given in 2014

    3. ABP will develop content specifications for CME, self-assessment, and recertifying exam, focused on new information over past 5 years useful in daily practice

    4. Certificate holders will have to provide documentation to ABP of CME and self-assessment activities

    5. ABP expects Cooperating Societies to develop assessment programs

    6. Likely to offer "modular" recertifying exams-permitting a pathologist to recertify in the areas he/she practices


  3. What is the ASCP planning for MOC?
    1. The ASCP already has an extensive array of individual assessment programs: RISE for residents, STAR GYN and Non GYN, CheckPath for AP and CP, others. These will be enhanced and expanded.

    2. Additional practice examinations in subspecialty areas

    3. Online tracking for CME and Assessment activities

    4. Review courses in AP and CP

    5. Addition of assessment tools to educational programs to make comprehensive education/assessment offerings