Dr. Roberts is a member of ABIM’s Internal Medicine Board. He presented about ABIM’s Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKATM) at the National Medical Association’s 2022 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly.
I recently had the great pleasure of presenting at the National Medical Association’s (NMA) 2022 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly alongside Ryan D. Mire, MD, FACP, who was appointed president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) this past May.
As a member of the ABIM Internal Medicine Board, and a practicing primary care physician, I was really excited about the opportunity to share how ABIM has evolved its Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program to fit better into the lives of busy physicians, specifically the new Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKATM).
I am board certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in primary care, opiate addiction, and obesity. I am a firm believer in the importance of board certification. One of the best things we can do for our patients, practices, students and health systems is to maintain our certifications and demonstrate our commitment to keeping our knowledge current. Like a lot of physicians, I’m incredibly busy juggling professional and personal demands. That’s why I’m proud of the strides ABIM has made in creating more convenient pathways for physicians like me to make good on this commitment.
ABIM has a lot of great resources on its website about the LKA, but sometimes there’s no substitute for being in a room with your peers, and having the chance to hear their feedback and answer questions. And as someone who isn’t due for an assessment yet, but already starting to think ahead, I understand how important it is to have a good understanding of your options so you can make the right choice that works for you. That’s why I was so excited for the opportunity to speak in person at the NMA Annual Convention about how the LKA is making an impact on our work as physicians.
During my time on stage, I provided some of the backstory on how the LKA came about. In 2018, ABIM launched the Knowledge Check-In (KCI) as a more flexible MOC assessment option, and overall physician feedback was positive. ABIM recognized opportunities to further enhance the experience, and built upon the most popular features of the KCI to create the LKA, which became available in 12 disciplines in 2022. Three more disciplines (Critical Care Medicine, Infectious Disease and Pulmonary Disease) will launch in 2023.
At the NMA meeting, I highlighted some of the new features that physicians can expect when participating in the LKA and what sets it apart as a dynamic assessment tool:
- On your time: The LKA requires no appointment, and no time away from the office to take an exam. You have four minutes to answer each question—any place, any time.
- Receive feedback: The LKA provides immediate feedback, rationale, and references for most questions.
- Earn points: You can earn MOC points simply by answering questions correctly, up to 24 MOC points per year per certificate. They will be added automatically to your Physician Portal.
- Flexibility: You can take the LKA in more than one discipline, or mix and match between the LKA and the traditional, 10-year MOC exam.
- Start early: Questions expire at the end of each quarter and cannot be answered later.
- Setting you up for success: A pass/fail decision is made after five years, but you’ll receive quarterly score reports starting in your second year of participation so you’ll know how you’re doing throughout your cycle.
- Plan ahead: Enrollment for all 2023 MOC assessments—including the LKA—opens December 1, 2022. You can enroll in the LKA in your assessment due year and if it is available in your specialty.
- Ask questions: You have direct access to the answers you need through ABIM’s staff. Sign into your Physician Portal, call 1-800-441-ABIM, or email request@ABIM.org with any questions.
I’m deeply appreciative of the opportunity to present about the LKA at the NMA meeting, and hopeful we will find future opportunities for the organizations to work together. Learn more and keep on top of the latest news at ABIM.org and blog.ABIM.org.