The American Board of Emergency Medicine ConCert Examination: Emergency Physicians' Perceptions of Learning and Career Benefits

Abstract

Objective: As part of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program, ABEM-certified physicians are required to pass the Continuous Certification (ConCert) examination at least every 10 years. With the 2015 ConCert examination, ABEM sought to better understand emergency physicians' perceptions of the benefits of preparing for and taking the examination and the career benefits of staying ABEM-certified.Methods: This was a prospective survey study. A voluntary postexamination survey was administered at the end of the 2015 ABEM ConCert examination (September 21-26, 2015). Physicians were asked about the benefits of preparing for the examination and maintaining ABEM certification. Examination performance was compared to perceptions of learning and career benefits.Results: Of the 2,601 on-time test takers, 2,511 respondents participated (96.5% participation rate). The majority of participants (92.0%) identified a benefit to preparing for the ConCert examination, which included reinforced medical knowledge (73.9%), increased knowledge (66.8%), and making them a better clinician (39.4%). The majority of respondents (90.8%) identified a career benefit of maintaining ABEM certification, which included more employment options (73.8%), more positively viewed by other physicians (56.8%), and better financial outcomes (29.8%). There was a statistically significant association between the perception of knowledge reinforcement and examination performance (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant association between the perception that staying certified created more career opportunities and examination performance (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Most emergency physicians identified benefits of preparing for and taking the ABEM ConCert examination, which included reinforcing or adding medical knowledge and making them better clinicians. Most physicians also found career benefits to remaining ABEM-certified, which included greater employment choices, higher financial compensation, and higher esteem from other physicians. The belief that preparing for and taking the examination reinforced medical knowledge was associated with better examination performance.

Costs and Benefits of Initial Certification for Emergency Medicine Residency Graduates

“…Discussions about the cost of certification 16 and benefits of board certification 15 have often been based on isolated analyses. Similar investigations 14,15 to the current study explored the time, cost, and benefit to continuing certification in emergency medicine. In those studies, one-third of physicians took an in-person board prep course, and 70% spent over 35 hours studying for the examination.…”

“…In those studies, one-third of physicians took an in-person board prep course, and 70% spent over 35 hours studying for the examination. 14,15 A learning benefit was reported by 90% of physicians and a career benefit by 91%, the most common response being more job opportunities. 15 The perceived value of board certification is likely to be influenced by examination fees, cost of test preparation, and amount of time spent preparing for and taking the examination, as well as any learning and career benefits.…”

“…14,15 A learning benefit was reported by 90% of physicians and a career benefit by 91%, the most common response being more job opportunities. 15 The perceived value of board certification is likely to be influenced by examination fees, cost of test preparation, and amount of time spent preparing for and taking the examination, as well as any learning and career benefits. The ABEM's examination fee was the same for all physicians: $420 application fee, $960 written examination (qualifying examination) fee, and $1,225 oral certification examination fee (total $2,605).…”

“…1,2 Board-certified physicians have been shown to deliver improved quality of care and have fewer medical malpractice complaints. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Prior studies 14,15 have looked at preparation for the ABEM recertification examination and the career and learning benefits of staying certified. However, the value of initially achieving certification in most specialties, specifically emergency medicine, has been poorly defined.…”

Maintenance of certification: How performance in practice changes improve tobacco cessation in addiction psychiatrists’ practice

“…The PIP model enables physicians to develop and maintain necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively to patients’ needs. Studies indicate that a physician benefits from participating in the MOC process by: (i) gaining more focused learning based on his or her individual clinical practice needs; (ii) increasing knowledge and awareness of educational needs; (iii) increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of care; (iv) reducing malpractice claims; and (v) receiving improved training in evidence‐based clinical practices. Alternatively, it is expected that patients treated by physicians who actively participate in MOC will benefit by: (i) fewer medical errors; (ii) improved communication with their physicians; and (iii) better clinical outcomes through Patient‐Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) informed practice.…”