Endovascular medicine certification 2005–2014: Report from the American Board of Vascular Medicine

Abstract

This report describes the methods used to develop and maintain the endovascular medicine certification examination, which has been offered by the American Board of Vascular Medicine (ABVM) to practicing physicians since 2005. The report covers the methods and findings used to develop examination specifications which ensure the content and construct validity of the examination assessment such that the examination is reflective of the job tasks associated with the endovascular medicine specialty, as well as being a meaningful indicator of whether a candidate possesses the knowledge and skills necessary for competent practice. Further, this report covers the procedures used to develop, maintain, and administer the examination, including a summary of the content review process and the use of statistical information. Based on psychometric evaluation of the examination's performance, the ABVM's endovascular medicine examination appears to be a valid assessment of professional competency in the specialty area; a finding that supports the inference that candidates who pass the examination are qualified to practice in a manner that protects patients.

Evidence-based medicine and contemporary certification: Analysis of the American Board of Vascular Medicine endovascular board examination

“…In 2013, the ABVM endovascular examination underwent rigorous evaluation and revision that enabled it to accurately reflect the scope of endovascular practice, and allow for the development of a fair, accurate, and realistic assessment of each candidate’s readiness for certification. 2 Each examination item exhibited acceptable classical-test-theory performance characteristics ( p -value, point-biserial correlation) and the overall exam exhibited acceptable scale-level performance characteristics (Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient, Livingston decision consistency index), all of which are common and generally accepted performance indicators in the field of professional credentialing.…”

“…The examination has met or exceeded psychometric validity analysis and thus reflects a practitioner's ability to practice competently. 2 Over 1000 examinees have passed the endovascular exam since it was first offered in 2005.…”

Vascular Medicine

“…With this in mind, the ABVM, up to and including the 2015 certification examination, recognized the skill of the internist with experience in caring for patients with vascular disorders by allowing non–fellowship-trained physicians to present for the certification examination through the practice pathway. Vascular interventionalists with primary training in cardiovascular disease, vascular surgery, or interventional radiology also may present for the ABVM endovascular examination to demonstrate their expertise (4). …”

The American Board of Vascular Medicine Endovascular Board Examination – Raising the bar by testing the test

“…7 The ABVM examination items and the overall exam itself have consistently demonstrated satisfactory performance characteristics (as reflected by the p -value, point-biserial correlation for each item, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient, Livingston decision consistency index for the overall exam). 8 Notwithstanding the above positive attributes, the proportion of items based on multidisciplinary guideline recommendations and/or evidence-based data has not been evaluated.…”