This course is delivered by the country's top dynamic lecturers who will 'WOW' you with their expertise in their field. The syllabus is dictated by nothing but exam relevance. Thus, making this course the perfect choice for those who are preparing for the written or oral board exam and simultaneously feel a need to broaden their knowledge. The course provides CME Credits - 35.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM jointly sponsored by Oakstone Medical Publishing and ExamPro.
Thanks to our strategic alliance with AIM (American Institute of Multiple Choice Questions [MCQ]), we are now able to offer for written exam candidates registering for our spring board review course, a FREE MCQ test-taking skills course. This exciting course is designed to teach MCQ test taking technique, and thus obtain higher scores in CREOG and OB/GYN Written board exams. AIM is the only course that is specifically designed and delivered by OB/GYNs, exclusively for OB/GYNs! Whereas others provide a general version of our course for a hefty fee, this is free to ExamPro registrants. Not only have Johns Hopkins OB/GYN residents specifically, found it to be extremely beneficial, but AIM has also had phenomenal results from its registrants in general. Reserve your spot today for this superb course.
Registration fee for residency directors: Free
To Learn more and to Register - Click Here!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Recert Summaries - Your answer to the MOC 2009 - Prelaunch Special!
ExamPro will release annual summaries of the ABC articles for those OBGYN's who must take the obligatory MOC Part 3 written exam. ABOG states the ABC articles will be used to construct the MOC part 3 exam. ExamPro's Recert Summaries contain only clinically relevant information that should be exam focused.
The summaries are brief, to the point and are simple to remember.
-Recert Summaries shorten study time and improves the integration of material.
-Recert Summaries will be available annually.
-All 45 articles will be summarized and issued annually and each will contain a set of 7 discs.
Each summary comes in multiple formats so you can listen, read, or do both and pass the MOC easily
Special pre-launch incentive include:
10% off if ordered before December 1
Quantity discounts of 10% on orders of 2 sets or more.
Click Here To Learn More!
The summaries are brief, to the point and are simple to remember.
-Recert Summaries shorten study time and improves the integration of material.
-Recert Summaries will be available annually.
-All 45 articles will be summarized and issued annually and each will contain a set of 7 discs.
Each summary comes in multiple formats so you can listen, read, or do both and pass the MOC easily
Special pre-launch incentive include:
10% off if ordered before December 1
Quantity discounts of 10% on orders of 2 sets or more.
Click Here To Learn More!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
You Want To Succeed With ExamPro!
Dallas Pre-Exam Course!
After repeated requests, ExamPro will finally be in Dallas to help candidates with last minute assistance immediately prior to their exam. Our pre-exam course includes a private mock oral as well as a series of brief lectures on final oral 'touch-ups'. It will provide you with:
1. One last, final opportunity to run any concerns you may have regarding your case list, with a professional expert
2. Summaries of the latest ACOG publications
3. A review of recent changes in standard of care
4. Familiarity with the literature your examiner is reading (ABOG's ABC articles)
5. An opportunity to smooth out any wrinkles in your presentation
It is limited to 8 candidates per course, to assure personalized attention and lasts a little less than half a day. We recommend this course be taken the day before your exam, since its entire structure is designed to require no further study, but to be fresh in your mind when you walk into the exam.
Please click here and scroll down to choose which course you want to attend.
You Want To Succeed With ExamPro!
After repeated requests, ExamPro will finally be in Dallas to help candidates with last minute assistance immediately prior to their exam. Our pre-exam course includes a private mock oral as well as a series of brief lectures on final oral 'touch-ups'. It will provide you with:
1. One last, final opportunity to run any concerns you may have regarding your case list, with a professional expert
2. Summaries of the latest ACOG publications
3. A review of recent changes in standard of care
4. Familiarity with the literature your examiner is reading (ABOG's ABC articles)
5. An opportunity to smooth out any wrinkles in your presentation
It is limited to 8 candidates per course, to assure personalized attention and lasts a little less than half a day. We recommend this course be taken the day before your exam, since its entire structure is designed to require no further study, but to be fresh in your mind when you walk into the exam.
Please click here and scroll down to choose which course you want to attend.
You Want To Succeed With ExamPro!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Do OBGYNs Face a Conflict of Interests?
Who would ever have thought that doctors would experience a potential conflict of interest in their attempt to provide the best possible care to their community. How so?
It is imperative to state at the outset that issues presented in this article this are simply an observation by the author of concerns expressed by OBGYNs across the nation, and are not in any way, an opinion or judgment of whether or not these concerns are well or ill-conceived.
Most OBGYNS are aware of the trend that more and more females are coming into the profession. While this is absolutely and appropriately the right of every physician, regardless of gender to decide how they wish to specialize, this does however have a potential deleterious effect on the provision of OBGYN services to communities across the country. This is because on average, female OBGYNs work fewer hours per week than their male counterparts. The consequence is that less OBGYN service is available to the community (at a national level) and thus every OBGYN-hour worked has to accommodate a larger and larger workload. Keep in mind that the average OBGYN works way in excess of a 40 hour week! They thus have to spend their time more efficaciously than ever before. Anything that might take time away from their ability to provide service could be argued as being counter to the patient’s or community’s interest.
What about the time taken to maintain competence as a physician? I don’t believe anyone would argue that this is a critical and vital part of being a physician and providing quality service. Does there ever arise however, a situation where the return on increasing time demands of CME and certification, results in diminishing time to provide patient care, and thus compromise the overall quality of care to the community/nation? Have we possibly moved beyond the point of maximum benefit? While the answer to this question is moot because the new Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process is cast in stone, the time requirement to fulfill the new MOC process could be used to argue this point.
It certainly has ruffled many feathers of OBGYNs across the nation. OBGYNs are most bothered by the new MOC Part 3 exam which will first be offered in 2012. Since this exam has never before been taken, no one knows exactly what to expect. Certain indications from ABOG however, do suggest that a fair amount of additional reading/studying might well be advantageous for anyone taking this exam. For example, re-reading/revisiting the 45 annually prescribed ‘ABC’ articles (a total of 270 articles over the 6 year cycle), can be extremely time consuming to say the least. This does not address any other reading that might be considered beneficial to the exam candidate.
So what are the time considerations consequent upon this additional study load? Well for those who read something once and remember it forever, this should not pose too much of a problem. The trouble is such people probably do not constitute the majority of the OBGYN population. It could be argued that on average, an additional hour per week represents a 1-3% reduction in time available to patients.
Whether OBGYNS will compromise patient time or personal time is an additional fair question! Only time will tell if improved quality of care comes at the price of decreased quantity of care!
It is imperative to state at the outset that issues presented in this article this are simply an observation by the author of concerns expressed by OBGYNs across the nation, and are not in any way, an opinion or judgment of whether or not these concerns are well or ill-conceived.
Most OBGYNS are aware of the trend that more and more females are coming into the profession. While this is absolutely and appropriately the right of every physician, regardless of gender to decide how they wish to specialize, this does however have a potential deleterious effect on the provision of OBGYN services to communities across the country. This is because on average, female OBGYNs work fewer hours per week than their male counterparts. The consequence is that less OBGYN service is available to the community (at a national level) and thus every OBGYN-hour worked has to accommodate a larger and larger workload. Keep in mind that the average OBGYN works way in excess of a 40 hour week! They thus have to spend their time more efficaciously than ever before. Anything that might take time away from their ability to provide service could be argued as being counter to the patient’s or community’s interest.
What about the time taken to maintain competence as a physician? I don’t believe anyone would argue that this is a critical and vital part of being a physician and providing quality service. Does there ever arise however, a situation where the return on increasing time demands of CME and certification, results in diminishing time to provide patient care, and thus compromise the overall quality of care to the community/nation? Have we possibly moved beyond the point of maximum benefit? While the answer to this question is moot because the new Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process is cast in stone, the time requirement to fulfill the new MOC process could be used to argue this point.
It certainly has ruffled many feathers of OBGYNs across the nation. OBGYNs are most bothered by the new MOC Part 3 exam which will first be offered in 2012. Since this exam has never before been taken, no one knows exactly what to expect. Certain indications from ABOG however, do suggest that a fair amount of additional reading/studying might well be advantageous for anyone taking this exam. For example, re-reading/revisiting the 45 annually prescribed ‘ABC’ articles (a total of 270 articles over the 6 year cycle), can be extremely time consuming to say the least. This does not address any other reading that might be considered beneficial to the exam candidate.
So what are the time considerations consequent upon this additional study load? Well for those who read something once and remember it forever, this should not pose too much of a problem. The trouble is such people probably do not constitute the majority of the OBGYN population. It could be argued that on average, an additional hour per week represents a 1-3% reduction in time available to patients.
Whether OBGYNS will compromise patient time or personal time is an additional fair question! Only time will tell if improved quality of care comes at the price of decreased quantity of care!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
OBGYN Board Review Course
This course is delivered by the country's top dynamic lecturers who will 'WOW' you with their expertise in their field. The syllabus is dictated by nothing but exam relevance. Thus, making this course the perfect choice for those who are preparing for the written or oral board exam and simultaneously feel a need to broaden their knowledge. The fall course provides CME Credits - 34 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM jointly sponsored by Oakstone Medical Publishing and ExamPro. The spring course provides CME Credits - 36.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM jointly sponsored by Oakstone Medical Publishing and ExamPro.
Thanks to our strategic alliance with AIM (American Institute of Multiple Choice Questions [MCQ]), we are now able to offer for written exam candidates registering for our spring board review course, a FREE MCQ test-taking skills course. This exciting course is designed to teach MCQ test taking technique, and thus obtain higher scores in CREOG and OB/GYN Written board exams. AIM is the only course that is specifically designed and delivered by OB/GYNs, exclusively for OB/GYNs! Whereas others provide a general version of our course for a hefty fee, this is free to ExamPro registrants. Not only have Johns Hopkins OB/GYN residents specifically, found it to be extremely beneficial, but AIM has also had phenomenal results from its registrants in general. Reserve your spot today for this superb course.
Registration fee for residency directors: Free
Click Here For More Information and To Sign Up
Thanks to our strategic alliance with AIM (American Institute of Multiple Choice Questions [MCQ]), we are now able to offer for written exam candidates registering for our spring board review course, a FREE MCQ test-taking skills course. This exciting course is designed to teach MCQ test taking technique, and thus obtain higher scores in CREOG and OB/GYN Written board exams. AIM is the only course that is specifically designed and delivered by OB/GYNs, exclusively for OB/GYNs! Whereas others provide a general version of our course for a hefty fee, this is free to ExamPro registrants. Not only have Johns Hopkins OB/GYN residents specifically, found it to be extremely beneficial, but AIM has also had phenomenal results from its registrants in general. Reserve your spot today for this superb course.
Registration fee for residency directors: Free
Click Here For More Information and To Sign Up
OBGYN Board Review Course
This course is delivered by the country's top dynamic lecturers who will 'WOW' you with their expertise in their field. The syllabus is dictated by nothing but exam relevance. Thus, making this course the perfect choice for those who are preparing for the written or oral board exam and simultaneously feel a need to broaden their knowledge. The fall course provides CME Credits - 34 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM jointly sponsored by Oakstone Medical Publishing and ExamPro. The spring course provides CME Credits - 36.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM jointly sponsored by Oakstone Medical Publishing and ExamPro.
Thanks to our strategic alliance with AIM (American Institute of Multiple Choice Questions [MCQ]), we are now able to offer for written exam candidates registering for our spring board review course, a FREE MCQ test-taking skills course. This exciting course is designed to teach MCQ test taking technique, and thus obtain higher scores in CREOG and OB/GYN Written board exams. AIM is the only course that is specifically designed and delivered by OB/GYNs, exclusively for OB/GYNs! Whereas others provide a general version of our course for a hefty fee, this is free to ExamPro registrants. Not only have Johns Hopkins OB/GYN residents specifically, found it to be extremely beneficial, but AIM has also had phenomenal results from its registrants in general. Reserve your spot today for this superb course.
Registration fee for residency directors: Free
Click Here For More Information and To Sign Up
Thanks to our strategic alliance with AIM (American Institute of Multiple Choice Questions [MCQ]), we are now able to offer for written exam candidates registering for our spring board review course, a FREE MCQ test-taking skills course. This exciting course is designed to teach MCQ test taking technique, and thus obtain higher scores in CREOG and OB/GYN Written board exams. AIM is the only course that is specifically designed and delivered by OB/GYNs, exclusively for OB/GYNs! Whereas others provide a general version of our course for a hefty fee, this is free to ExamPro registrants. Not only have Johns Hopkins OB/GYN residents specifically, found it to be extremely beneficial, but AIM has also had phenomenal results from its registrants in general. Reserve your spot today for this superb course.
Registration fee for residency directors: Free
Click Here For More Information and To Sign Up
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Dreaded MOC Part Written Exam
The Part 3 portion of the Maintenance of Certification is the written exam. This is the one that is ruffling so many feathers. Why? Because virtually everyone in clinical practice has to do it. The only exempt obgyns are those, who graduated prior to 1986 and are thus ‘grandfathered-in’.
Most have not taken a written exam for at least 10-15 year, and since this exam has never been given before, no one is sure what to expect. As if this is not bad enough, we are obliged to get a passing grade failing which, we will (at least temporarily) lose our board certification status and our membership as a fellow of ACOG! Clearly, this is serious business!!
Although no one knows precisely what to expect in the exam, there are some basic principles we can use to guide ourselves as we prepare for this exam (which will first be taken in 2012).
1) ABOG has already stated that it will expect physicians to:
a. incorporate ‘new information obtained by their participation in the MOC Part 2 process’.
b. Have ‘retained and are currently employing basic information learned during their training’
2) It seems reasonable to expect that it will probe the candidates understanding of routine standard of care
3) It seems reasonable that will have a reasonably high pass rate, since there is a potential to cause nationwide havoc in the provision of OBGYN services, if a significant percentage find themselves losing their board certification status!
At the end of the day, many OBGYNs will probably find themselves going to a refresher review course, or one that specifically attempts to prepare them for this specific exam.
Most have not taken a written exam for at least 10-15 year, and since this exam has never been given before, no one is sure what to expect. As if this is not bad enough, we are obliged to get a passing grade failing which, we will (at least temporarily) lose our board certification status and our membership as a fellow of ACOG! Clearly, this is serious business!!
Although no one knows precisely what to expect in the exam, there are some basic principles we can use to guide ourselves as we prepare for this exam (which will first be taken in 2012).
1) ABOG has already stated that it will expect physicians to:
a. incorporate ‘new information obtained by their participation in the MOC Part 2 process’.
b. Have ‘retained and are currently employing basic information learned during their training’
2) It seems reasonable to expect that it will probe the candidates understanding of routine standard of care
3) It seems reasonable that will have a reasonably high pass rate, since there is a potential to cause nationwide havoc in the provision of OBGYN services, if a significant percentage find themselves losing their board certification status!
At the end of the day, many OBGYNs will probably find themselves going to a refresher review course, or one that specifically attempts to prepare them for this specific exam.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Implications of failing the MOC Process!
OBGYNS have never before had to consider the possibility of losing their board status on an on-going annual basis. This is the new reality with the new Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process which began in 2008. While ABOG has not been overly explicit as to the consequences of MOC failure, here is what is known.
In order to maintain certification status, a diplomate must successfully complete all 4 components of the MOC process (discussed in a previous article). It is your responsibility to subject yourself (voluntarily) to the MOC process. You must not allow your certificate to expire. There should be no blemish of significance on your state licenses and you must successfully complete each year, the appropriate parts of the of the MOC process. Failure to do so will result in:
1) Loss of Diplomate status with ABOG. This means you will no longer be able to promote yourself as being board certified!
2) If you allow you license to expire, you may have to take a proctored written exam amongst other potential requirements yet to be announced.
3) You may lose your status with ACOG
-If you should fail the ABC exam, you will have an opportunity to retake the exam for an additional fee.
-Diplomates failing to be actively involved in the MOC process for 2 consecutive years will lose board certification status. If, within the subsequent year, they wish to regain certification, they will be required to complete the 2 ‘lost’ years in the next year and thereafter continue with the MOC process. If they wait more than 1 year to regain their certification status, they will have to take a proctored written exam and then recommence the MOC process.
-A license may also be revoked for violations of ABOG rules and ethics, as well as any felony conviction!
The bottom line is that this is a serious business with the potential for a physician to lose his/her license with huge professional, social, legal and financial implications. Make sure you know and play by the rules. Do whatever it takes to be compliant with MOC.
In order to maintain certification status, a diplomate must successfully complete all 4 components of the MOC process (discussed in a previous article). It is your responsibility to subject yourself (voluntarily) to the MOC process. You must not allow your certificate to expire. There should be no blemish of significance on your state licenses and you must successfully complete each year, the appropriate parts of the of the MOC process. Failure to do so will result in:
1) Loss of Diplomate status with ABOG. This means you will no longer be able to promote yourself as being board certified!
2) If you allow you license to expire, you may have to take a proctored written exam amongst other potential requirements yet to be announced.
3) You may lose your status with ACOG
-If you should fail the ABC exam, you will have an opportunity to retake the exam for an additional fee.
-Diplomates failing to be actively involved in the MOC process for 2 consecutive years will lose board certification status. If, within the subsequent year, they wish to regain certification, they will be required to complete the 2 ‘lost’ years in the next year and thereafter continue with the MOC process. If they wait more than 1 year to regain their certification status, they will have to take a proctored written exam and then recommence the MOC process.
-A license may also be revoked for violations of ABOG rules and ethics, as well as any felony conviction!
The bottom line is that this is a serious business with the potential for a physician to lose his/her license with huge professional, social, legal and financial implications. Make sure you know and play by the rules. Do whatever it takes to be compliant with MOC.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
What do OBGYN Oral Exam Candidates Fear Most About The Exam?
Candidates of the oral OB/GYN exam are terrified at the thought of spending 3 hours with 6 examiners in a room, the result of which will have a major impact on their professional, social and financial security. An informal poll was taken from candidates attending a board prep course in Baltimore in September 2008. The exam registrants were asked the following question: “What is the single most important concern you have as you prepare for the exam?”
Of 134 polled at the course, 127 completed responses were received (representing almost 10% of all candidates taking the oral exam).
The single most common response was: ‘What is the most common issue that causes a candidate to fail?’ Other responses (some examples are given) could be grouped as:
1) Positively motivated responses (29%)
-What are you most looking for in a candidate?
-What is the most important piece of advice that you have for any candidate
preparing to take the oral board exam?
-If you could give one suggestion on what we can do in the exam room to give a
positive impression to the examiner, what would it be?
-What are the basic things you expect to pass a candidate?
2) Negatively motivated responses (51%)
-What is the single most common reason that people fail the exam?
-Are there any situations/answers that a candidate gives, that result in automatic
failure?
-What characterizes a passing vs. a failing candidate?
3) Responses relating to the case list (8%)
-Does a well organized case list have any impact on your impression of the candidate and the potential exam outcome?
-Is there any risk of having a high number of cases on your list, especially surgical
cases?
-If the case list showed that the candidate was a subspecialist taking the general board exam, would you conduct the exam any differently?
4) Miscellaneous responses (12%)
-Explain the scoring system for the exam.
-How are examiners selected? Are they assessed for
examining-ability prior to examining?
-If a candidate gets upset and is in tears, will they give you a minute to collect
yourself? Or will you fail?
-Are the examiners practicing general OBGYN, or are they primarily educators or
program directors?
Virtually all questions (over 95%) were constructive appeals for (in the opinion of the author) reasonable information.
Conclusion: It is the opinion of the author that candidates merely wanted feedback so as to improve their presentation in the exam.
The governing authority which does a superb job in administering the exam, currently does make available to candidates information regarding the exam. It would probably be well received if this information were to be better promoted and be more informative to provide a realistic expectation of the oral exam itself. This can assist candidates in better preparing themselves and reducing their anxiety (which cannot be underestimated!)
Of 134 polled at the course, 127 completed responses were received (representing almost 10% of all candidates taking the oral exam).
The single most common response was: ‘What is the most common issue that causes a candidate to fail?’ Other responses (some examples are given) could be grouped as:
1) Positively motivated responses (29%)
-What are you most looking for in a candidate?
-What is the most important piece of advice that you have for any candidate
preparing to take the oral board exam?
-If you could give one suggestion on what we can do in the exam room to give a
positive impression to the examiner, what would it be?
-What are the basic things you expect to pass a candidate?
2) Negatively motivated responses (51%)
-What is the single most common reason that people fail the exam?
-Are there any situations/answers that a candidate gives, that result in automatic
failure?
-What characterizes a passing vs. a failing candidate?
3) Responses relating to the case list (8%)
-Does a well organized case list have any impact on your impression of the candidate and the potential exam outcome?
-Is there any risk of having a high number of cases on your list, especially surgical
cases?
-If the case list showed that the candidate was a subspecialist taking the general board exam, would you conduct the exam any differently?
4) Miscellaneous responses (12%)
-Explain the scoring system for the exam.
-How are examiners selected? Are they assessed for
examining-ability prior to examining?
-If a candidate gets upset and is in tears, will they give you a minute to collect
yourself? Or will you fail?
-Are the examiners practicing general OBGYN, or are they primarily educators or
program directors?
Virtually all questions (over 95%) were constructive appeals for (in the opinion of the author) reasonable information.
Conclusion: It is the opinion of the author that candidates merely wanted feedback so as to improve their presentation in the exam.
The governing authority which does a superb job in administering the exam, currently does make available to candidates information regarding the exam. It would probably be well received if this information were to be better promoted and be more informative to provide a realistic expectation of the oral exam itself. This can assist candidates in better preparing themselves and reducing their anxiety (which cannot be underestimated!)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
How Aggressively Do Residency Programs Promote Oral Exam Technique?
Dr. Alvin Schamroth, MD, FACOG
This is a follow-up to an informal poll conducted by Dr Schamroth to Residency Co-ordinators of OB/GYN programs. The initial finding of this study was that of those programs that feel oral exam training is important, only 60% actually provide this training. The article addresses the extent to which they provide this training.
Question 1 (Of the 60% of programs who provide oral exam training), how frequently do you provide oral exam technique training?
Once/week 56%
Once/month 17%
Once/year 26%
Question 2 (In an attempt to assess the intensity of mock oral training provided by those 60%), how aggressive are your M+M meetings?
Mildly aggressive 53%
Moderately aggressive 47%
Severely aggressive 0%
(Although the oral exam is not necessarily aggressive, practicing for it with an aggressive environment is probably more beneficial)
Are Residency Programs Preparing Candidates for Their Final Board Exam?
Dr. Alvin Schamroth, MD, FACOG
Residency Coordinators feedback regarding residency programs preparing candidates for the oral exams
Residency Coordinators feedback regarding residency programs preparing candidates for the oral exams
What are the criteria to assess the success of an OBGYN residency program? CREOG scores, Written or Oral board pass rates, residency drop out rate, departmental income generation?
Residency programs have a vested interest in their residents passing the written OB/GYN board exam. Reason: if they have a low collective percentage pass rate by their residents, they run the risk of losing their residency program status. This can have a major impact on their ability to attract faculty, staff, physician and departmental income. Is the written board exam pass mark the correct bench mark? There are some who would argue that passing the final oral board exam is the ultimate reflection of a residency program! To this extent, an informal study was recently undertaken by Dr Schamroth FACOG to determine the extent to which residency programs prepare residents for the ‘oral’ medium of the final board exam.
E-mail questionnaires were sent to the residency coordinators of 191 OB/GYN residency programs throughout the
A total of 58 responses were received.
Question #1: Do you feel there is a need to train residents in oral exam technique?
Response: Yes = 82% yes, No = 14% (4% = no response)
Question #2: Does your program train residents on oral exam technique?
Response: Yes = 60%, No = 40%
Conclusion: Although a majority of respondents feel there is a need to assist residents train for their oral exam, a significant percentage of residency programs are not following through on this need. This conclusion could be stronger, since those programs that do not promote oral exam training may be more inclined not to respond to the poll.
Dr Schamroth is a board certified OB/GYN and Director of ExamPro, the leading authority in OB/GYN board prep.
The Maintenance of Certification Process Part 2: As Easy as ABC
Dr. Alvin Schamroth, MD, FACOG
Probably the majority of the nation’s OB/GYNS are now involved in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part 2 process (lifetime education). This article aims to provide the basic information for those not yet obligated, and also to give some lesser known facts for those who are already involved in this process.
The MOC Part 2 portion has been in existence since 1998, but was previously known as the ABC (Annual Board Certification) exam. It is designed to encourage diplomates to read prescribed articles and thereby continue with lifetime learning. It caters to those engaged in general OBGYN as well as subspecialty practice. This portion of MOC is conducted by ABOG and is completed online by logging onto www.abog.org and signing on with your ABOG ID number and personal password. Access to the articles is only made available after ABOG has received payment (via check or credit card). The fee is $235 for the year and the deadline was February 26! A late fee of $110 will extend the application deadline to June 30. An additional late fee of $110 (total late fee $220) will buy you an extension to August 30. Similarly, a third $110 late fee (total now $330) will delay the deadline to September 29. Failure to complete this portion of the MOC process will result in a withdrawal of board certification status.
The MOC Part 2 consists of 3 sets of articles per year. Each set comprises 15 articles and a total of 60 associated questions (for an annual total of 180 questions). These 15 articles (each with 4 associated questions) typically have 5 articles dedicated to each of GYN, OB and ‘Office’ categories. The 3 sets of articles are issued in January, April and July of each year. OB/GYN generalists may select articles from 2 or all 3 categories (OB, GYN and ‘Office’) in each set of articles. The candidate must select enough articles to answer at least 120 questions (this can be obtained from just 2 sets if so desired) each year to fulfill the MOC requirement. Once an article is selected, the diplomate must complete all questions associated with that article. Diplomates are respectfully warned that failure to answer a single question from a selected article will result in an automatic failing grade (even if the actual grade is above the 70% pass mark!). One is thus encouraged to make sure that a minimum of 120 questions (and all questions from any selected article) have been submitted by the September 30 deadline. Also, be aware that once an answer has been submitted, it cannot be changed. Completion of 120 questions with a passing grade confers 25 hours of CME. The remaining 60 questions are optional and will confer extra CME credit for an additional fee.
The MOC Part 2 is an ‘open book test’. Candidates are required to read the article and then answer the 4 questions. They must attest to having read the article themselves in order to answer the questions, and may not use any commercial services that provide article summaries for the purpose of completing the ABC exam. The physician is encouraged to check the bottom of their individualized ABC web page, where they will find a summary of the number of articles they have read, the number of uncompleted questions and their score. Most will find that even with a nominal expenditure of intellectual energy, they will be well over the minimum passing grade of 70%.
It is fair to assume that these articles are chosen by ABOG for their relevance to current clinical practice, and that ABOG would like the OB/GYN profession to be familiar with these practices. As such, most diplomats find these articles to be interesting, valuable and highly worthwhile. There is an added benefit: these articles can reasonably be expected to play some part in the MOC Part 3 examination. Consequently, many may choose to read all articles from all 3 sets and not only the minimum requirement (equivalent of 2 sets).
In the (expected rare) case of a diplomate failing to achieve a passing grade, he/she will be notified in November and will be allowed a retake examination. Failure to achieve a passing grade in this reexamination will result in withdrawal of board certification status. This in turn will preclude membership with ACOG.
Subspecialists should have applied for the MOC Part 2 exam in November 2008. Whereas the subspecialty registration fee is greater ($295), the late fee and deadlines are similar to generalists (discussed above). Each of the 3 sets of articles for subspecialists will comprise 2 subsets: 1) general OB/GYN articles (as described above) and 2) subspecialty articles with 30 questions per subset. A subspecialist must annually answer a total of 150 questions: 60 questions derived from the ‘generalist’ list of articles and all 90 questions associated with their ‘subspecialty’ list of articles. Again the pass mark is 70% and 25 CME credits are provided.
While this portion of the MOC process does require a commitment of time on the part of the diplomate, this should result in greater awareness of current standards and hopefully, improved clinical practice.
Probably the majority of the nation’s OB/GYNS are now involved in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part 2 process (lifetime education). This article aims to provide the basic information for those not yet obligated, and also to give some lesser known facts for those who are already involved in this process.
The MOC Part 2 portion has been in existence since 1998, but was previously known as the ABC (Annual Board Certification) exam. It is designed to encourage diplomates to read prescribed articles and thereby continue with lifetime learning. It caters to those engaged in general OBGYN as well as subspecialty practice. This portion of MOC is conducted by ABOG and is completed online by logging onto www.abog.org and signing on with your ABOG ID number and personal password. Access to the articles is only made available after ABOG has received payment (via check or credit card). The fee is $235 for the year and the deadline was February 26! A late fee of $110 will extend the application deadline to June 30. An additional late fee of $110 (total late fee $220) will buy you an extension to August 30. Similarly, a third $110 late fee (total now $330) will delay the deadline to September 29. Failure to complete this portion of the MOC process will result in a withdrawal of board certification status.
The MOC Part 2 consists of 3 sets of articles per year. Each set comprises 15 articles and a total of 60 associated questions (for an annual total of 180 questions). These 15 articles (each with 4 associated questions) typically have 5 articles dedicated to each of GYN, OB and ‘Office’ categories. The 3 sets of articles are issued in January, April and July of each year. OB/GYN generalists may select articles from 2 or all 3 categories (OB, GYN and ‘Office’) in each set of articles. The candidate must select enough articles to answer at least 120 questions (this can be obtained from just 2 sets if so desired) each year to fulfill the MOC requirement. Once an article is selected, the diplomate must complete all questions associated with that article. Diplomates are respectfully warned that failure to answer a single question from a selected article will result in an automatic failing grade (even if the actual grade is above the 70% pass mark!). One is thus encouraged to make sure that a minimum of 120 questions (and all questions from any selected article) have been submitted by the September 30 deadline. Also, be aware that once an answer has been submitted, it cannot be changed. Completion of 120 questions with a passing grade confers 25 hours of CME. The remaining 60 questions are optional and will confer extra CME credit for an additional fee.
The MOC Part 2 is an ‘open book test’. Candidates are required to read the article and then answer the 4 questions. They must attest to having read the article themselves in order to answer the questions, and may not use any commercial services that provide article summaries for the purpose of completing the ABC exam. The physician is encouraged to check the bottom of their individualized ABC web page, where they will find a summary of the number of articles they have read, the number of uncompleted questions and their score. Most will find that even with a nominal expenditure of intellectual energy, they will be well over the minimum passing grade of 70%.
It is fair to assume that these articles are chosen by ABOG for their relevance to current clinical practice, and that ABOG would like the OB/GYN profession to be familiar with these practices. As such, most diplomats find these articles to be interesting, valuable and highly worthwhile. There is an added benefit: these articles can reasonably be expected to play some part in the MOC Part 3 examination. Consequently, many may choose to read all articles from all 3 sets and not only the minimum requirement (equivalent of 2 sets).
In the (expected rare) case of a diplomate failing to achieve a passing grade, he/she will be notified in November and will be allowed a retake examination. Failure to achieve a passing grade in this reexamination will result in withdrawal of board certification status. This in turn will preclude membership with ACOG.
Subspecialists should have applied for the MOC Part 2 exam in November 2008. Whereas the subspecialty registration fee is greater ($295), the late fee and deadlines are similar to generalists (discussed above). Each of the 3 sets of articles for subspecialists will comprise 2 subsets: 1) general OB/GYN articles (as described above) and 2) subspecialty articles with 30 questions per subset. A subspecialist must annually answer a total of 150 questions: 60 questions derived from the ‘generalist’ list of articles and all 90 questions associated with their ‘subspecialty’ list of articles. Again the pass mark is 70% and 25 CME credits are provided.
While this portion of the MOC process does require a commitment of time on the part of the diplomate, this should result in greater awareness of current standards and hopefully, improved clinical practice.
The Ominous MOC Written Exam of 2012!
Dr. Alvin Schamroth, MD, FACOG
The new Maintenance of Certification process (MOC) began in January 2008 and has several implications that will affect virtually all practicing Ob/Gyns. There are 4 parts to the process, but the 3rd component (Cognitive Expertise) is the one causing most anxiety! Why? Because this is a ‘closed book’ MCQ written test for which the candidate must obtain a passing score in order to maintain his/her certification!
The requirement to take this exam is dictated by the year of initial Ob/Gyn certification.
Those who became board certified in general Ob/Gyn between 1986 and 2001 received certification valid for 10 years. From 2001, certification was given for only 6 years. Thus, beginning in 2008, anyone who became board certified since 1986 is required to register for MOC. Those who were certified prior to 1986 are ‘grandfathered in’ and have no obligation to complete the MOC process.
This exam is expected by many to be somewhat similar to the written board exam, but more clinically focused. ABOG states that “the primary goal of MOC Part III Written Examination, is to ensure that “diplomates have retained and are currently employing basic information learned during their training as well as the new information obtained by their participation in the MOC Part II - Lifetime Education process.”1 It is thus reasonable to assume that much of the MOC Part 3 exam will be based on articles (and related topics) previously prescribed by ABOG for the Annual Board Certification exam (or ABC: MOC Part 2). Most physicians are currently enrolled in the ABC Part 2 MOC and are consequently familiar with these articles and the associated ‘open book’ test of MOC Part 2. It is worthwhile noting that although only 2 of 3 sets of ABC articles are required for qualification in MOC Part 2 (with 120 related questions), physicians may voluntarily choose to now complete all 3 books with 180 questions (as preparation for the MOC Part 3 exam).
It is critical to appreciate that the MOC process cycles through a 6 year period and the Cognitive Expertise (MOC Part 3) portion is taken only once during that 6 year period. A physician has the option to take it in the 5th or 6th year of the cycle. That makes 2012 the first opportunity for most Ob/Gyns to sit for the exam. A candidate may take the exam as often as is necessary during the 5th and 6th year in order to pass (ABOG anticipates offering the exam twice per year). It is thus expected that most physicians will opt to take the exam in the 5th year of the 6 year cycle (recommended by ABOG) so as to give themselves ample time to have a 2nd or even 3rd opportunity to take the exam, should this become necessary.
The written exam is expected to have 180-200 questions to be completed in 3-4 hours (specifics still pending). Of the approximately 180 questions, 100 are mandatory in the area of general Ob/Gyn. The balance of 80 questions will be derived from one of four categories (
Candidates for the 2012 exam must apply for MOC Part 3 online, in October or November 2011. A fee will be charged. ABOG has not yet announced whether they will publish any study guides to assist those preparing for this exam. ABOG does acknowledge that final details surrounding the exam may change as it is a ‘work in progress’.
Candidates who fail the MOC Part 3 exam will not be board certified until they successfully complete the exam. This will result in a hiatus in their certification status!
It is the candidate’s responsibility to make sure that he/she maintains his/her certification. Neither ABOG nor ACOG will contact physicians to initiate the process!
For those with specific questions, further information relating to MOC may be obtained by contacting:
Maintenance of Certification Department
The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc.
E-mail: recert@abog.org
Phone: (214) 721-7510
The slides of a lecture given by Dr Gilstrap (ABOG’s Director of Evaluation) introducing details of the MOC Process can be found online at the following URL address: http://www.abog.org/pdf/MOC%20Simplified.pdf
Important dates to be aware of, (for General Ob/Gyn MOC registration, 2009) are:
Feb 26: Application + $235 fee
Feb 27 – Jun 30: Application, fee + late fee ($110.00) = $345
Jul 1 – Aug 31: Application, fee + late fee ($220.00) = $455
Sep 1 – 29: Application, fee + late fee ($330.00) = $565
References
1) ABOG Bulletin for 2009: Maintenance of Certification
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