Recertification/Self Assessment

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Did you know that the ACR provides the only rheumatologist-led recertification tools designed specifically for rheumatologists that offer Maintenance of Certification points and AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ CARE 06 and 07 and AIM were designed to respect the resources and constraints of a busy physician/practice while giving you the foundation to pass the ABIM Rheumatology Recertification Exam.

Currently almost 50 percent of ACR members have time limited rheumatology certificates, meaning they must complete the American Board of Internal Medicine's Maintenance of Certification program to maintain certification in rheumatology.

To remain board certified, internists or rheumatologists who were certified in 1990 or later are Required to recertify every ten years.

For those physicians, it is essential to understand the requirements:

There are three main components required for maintenance of certification:

Be licensed and in good standing
Earn 100 self-evaluation points* which must include:

20 points in the medical knowledge category
20 points in the practice performance category
60 points from either medical knowledge or practice performance, or both

Pass the secure exam

* If you are renewing multiple certifications, no additional self-evaluation points are required, providing that the 100 points you have earned are valid at the time each certificate expires.

Your Foundation for Recertification and Self-Assessment

CARE
The Continuing Assessment Review and Evaluation, or CARE Program, is the online self-assessment program that includes 60 clinically relevant cases with answer rationales and over 100 educational links. CARE offers up to 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 20 points in the self-evaluation of medical knowledge category of the ABIM's Maintenance of Certification Program. Click here for more information.

AIM
Assess Improve Measure, or AIM, is a series of practice improvement modules designed specifically for rheumatologists. Each practice improvement module is a Web-based self-evaluation tool that walks the user through a Quality Improvement Cycle for a specific condition, procedure, or preventative service. Linked to educational materials, a PIM guides practice-based learning and improvement. No prior knowledge about measurement or improvement is need.

Currently, AIM: Rheumatoid Arthritis is available and offers year-round enrollment with two abstraction phases a year and AIM: Gout opens for enrollment in November 2007 with the first abstraction phase beginning in March 2008. Click here for more information and details for enrolling your practice.

Practice Improvement Module (PIM) Workshop
Friday, November 9 · 4:00 - 6:00 pm · Boston, MA
Saturday, November 10 · 7:45 - 9:45 am · Boston, MA

Each workshop will provide participants the tools to identify practice strengths and areas for improvement, develop and implement a quality improvement plan and summarize the role of a practice improvement module in relationship to health plan recognition programs. All workshop participants will receive a $75 discount on ACR's practice improvement module - AIM. This workshop will be offer during the 2007 ACR Annual Scientific Meeting.

ACR Recertification Information Session
12:45 - 1:45 pm · Saturday, November 10 · Boston, MA

In collaboration with the ABIM, the ACR has developed a session designed to provide practical tips on how to navigate the recertification process and a review of educational tools specially designed for the rheumatologist to excel at the process. This is a must attend session for physicians, including general internists, and internal medicine subspecialists, participating in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program, preparing for the ABIM Board exam or ABIM Recertification exam. This session will be offer during the 2007 ACR Annual Scientific Meeting.

Rheumatology Board Recertification Exam Preparation Course
Friday, March 7 -Sunday, March 9, 2008 · Atlanta, GA

Modeling the recertification exam, the course will be case-based, and will focus on disease management problems and key advances in practice over the past 10 years. Our experts will present the cases from CARE 2007 which include valued images to give you the knowledge to pass the ABIM Rheumatology Recertification Exam. See our Recertification Pledge. Click here for more information.