ABIM to Study Assessment Options for Hospitalists

Would replace previously announced Hospital Medicine LKA slated for 2023 launch

Even as more physicians practice in a hospital setting, few have chosen to participate in the Focused Practice in Hospital Medicine (FPHM) program to maintain their Internal Medicine Certification since it became available in 2010.

This trend has prompted ABIM to pause launching the Hospital Medicine Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) in 2023, allowing time to survey physicians in the FPHM program – as well as the hospitalist community at large – to better understand the kind of assessment offerings that would best align with their practice. ABIM is collaborating with the Society of Hospital Medicine to conduct the survey, which will be disseminated in mid-April.

While ABIM collaborates with the community on the best way forward, we want to clarify the assessment options for physicians due for an assessment in 2023.

Physicians who have previously earned the FPHM designation and are currently maintaining their Focused Practice in Hospital Medicine certification can:

• Take the traditional, 10-year MOC assessment in Hospital Medicine
• Take the traditional, 10-year MOC assessment Internal Medicine*
• Enroll in the Internal Medicine LKA in 2023, and if they choose, switch to the inpatient focused version if/when it becomes available in 2024*

*If a physician chooses to take either Internal Medicine assessment they will first need to withdraw from the FPHM program, which will reinstate the Internal Medicine certification. Learn more about the FPHM program.

ABIM will provide regular updates on its progress to the community, including direct outreach to physicians currently in the FPHM program to ensure they are aware of changes and options as they are developed. If you have any questions please contact us at 1.800.441.ABIM or request@abim.org.