Who is ABAI?
ABAI is an ABMS certifying Member Board. The ABAI was founded in 1971 and is a conjoint board with the ABIM and American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). ABIM and ABP as the parent boards, continue to have the responsibility of approving by-laws and elections for ABAI. The ABAI currently has 5,440 diplomates who are board-certified in Allergy and Immunology. If rheumatology certification were to be moved to ABAI, rheumatology diplomates would represent at least 50% of a new combined board of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology.
Why did ACR contact ABAI?
In an effort to address member concerns about MOC, ACR examined options and contacted ABAI based on our shared interest in immunologically mediated diseases and an interest in learning more about ABAI’s new continuous assessment program (CAP), which primarily tests knowledge of recent medical literature. ACR and ABAI have discussed the possibility of moving rheumatology to ABAI and forming a new combined board of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology. As initial certification and MOC cannot be offered by separate ABMS Member Boards, the conversation has expanded beyond MOC to include initial rheumatology certification.
Over time, these discussions evolved and the ACR is gathering input and collecting feedback from the membership and key stakeholders about moving rheumatology certification from ABIM to ABAI.
What is the ABAI Continuous Assessment Program (CAP)
ABAI CAP is an online assessment program for maintenance of certification. CAP emphasizes continuous literature-based learning, allowing diplomates to determine when and where they would like to answer questions. Instead of a single exam day that may require months of preparation, physicians may test as they go. ABAI designed CAP as an alternative to their 10-year secure exam.
What is the process of moving rheumatology certification to the ABAI?
The ultimate decision to move rheumatology from ABIM to ABAI requires ABMS approval. If an application is submitted to the ABMS, the review process is expected to take 6-12 months from the application submission date. If the application is approved, it is expected that it will take 12-18 months for the rheumatology committee to prepare a new rheumatology initial certification exam and CAP program for rheumatology.
What are the implications of moving rheumatology certification and MOC to ABAI?
ABAI’s Continuous Assessment Program (CAP) is based on 40 questions; 30 questions come from 10 recently published medical articles that the physician chooses from a pool of 12-15 articles and 10 are general knowledge questions. This model appears to address many of the learning goals directly expressed by ACR members, while also providing a meaningful pathway for rheumatologists to demonstrate continuous professional development. However, there are other factors to consider including how moving certification (which includes both initial certification and MOC) to a new Board may impact the field of rheumatology and the patients we serve. There are also several unknowns at this stage, including future program changes and cost. See Other Certification Considerations.
Is it feasible to move rheumatology certification to ABAI to form a new Board of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology?
Both ACR and ABAI believe it is feasible. However, at this stage it is important we hear from all stakeholders to better inform the discussion.
ABAI is “conjoint board”- what does this mean?
A Conjoint Board resembles a Primary Board in that it is separately incorporated and has similar responsibility for determination of requirements for certification, accepting candidates for certification, administering examinations, and issuing certificates. A Conjoint Board differs from a Primary Board in that it is established and functions under the joint sponsorship of not less than two (2) Primary Boards. The purpose of a Conjoint Board is to set training standards and evaluate the qualifications of individual candidates in an area of specialty practice common to the sponsoring groups. Applicants for certification by a Conjoint Board must complete satisfactorily a preliminary training program acceptable to at least one (1) of the sponsoring boards and to the Conjoint Board in order to be considered for examination by the Conjoint Board." The ABAI is sponsored by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). If ABAI expands their existing board to include rheumatology, ABAI would pursue a conjoint board within the ABMS framework. ABIM would continue to manage initial certification and MOC for internal medicine. For qualified applicants (those who received ABIM internal medicine certification), initial certification and MOC for rheumatology would move to ABAI.
I maintain both internal medicine and rheumatology certifications. How will a move to ABAI impact me?
The ABIM would continue to provide initial certification and MOC for internal medicine. Currently, ABIM works closely with other certifying ABMS Boards to streamline the MOC process for physicians who are board-certified by multiple Boards by offering reciprocal credit. It may be possible for your internal medicine ABIM MOC point requirements to be waived if your certification is current and you are meeting the ABAI Continuous Assessment Program (CAP) requirements. The process for rheumatologists who choose to maintain their internal medicine certification through ABIM would be determined in the event of moving rheumatology certification to ABAI. Review ABIM reciprocal credit policy.
I recertified with ABIM 2018 and don’t need to take another exam until 2028. If rheumatology moves to ABAI will I have to do a CAP assessment immediately or can I wait until 2028?
ACR envisions that a limited transitional period between ABIM and ABAI will be offered. However, ABAI does not offer an optional 10-year MOC exam, so most rheumatologists would begin to participate in the CAP immediately. The transitional plan needs to be included in the application to ABMS. Therefore, if the discussion moves forward, the ACR will update this information.
I understand the ABAI CAP program launched in 2018 and is a pilot program. Does this mean the program may change?
Any changes made to an MOC program by an ABMS Member Board must be instituted as a pilot per the ABMS prior to full approval. ACR anticipates that all programs will continue to evolve as the practice of medicine changes; however, the details of such evolution or the timeline for any changes cannot be determined.
When was the ABAI CAP launched and what has been the experience so far?
The ABAI CAP pilot was instituted in January 2018 and replaces the 10-year MOC examination. ABAI has reported that diplomates are actively engaged in the program and providing positive feedback.
If rheumatology certification moves to ABAI, does that mean allergy/immunology questions will be included on the assessments?
No. Questions for the initial certification examination and the MOC assessments will be written by rheumatologists and will consist solely of questions that are applicable to the practice of rheumatology.
If rheumatology certification moves to ABAI, will I now be considered an allergist?
No. Diplomates who are certified in the subspecialty of rheumatology are rheumatologists, regardless of whether they are certified by ABAI or ABIM.