AOA boards moving to online recertification assessments

The American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology is testing the use of short online exams as a replacement to its written recertification exam.

Under the pilot program, diplomates will answer eight questions each week through an online portal. Each week of the pilot simulates one quarter of a full year’s assessment. The fourth quarterly assessment of the year will be used for physicians to retake any missed questions. Physicians will be able to use reference materials to answer the questions and will also be able to choose an exam that reflects their current clinical practice (e.g., obstetrics only). Currently, diplomates of the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology take a long, written examination every six years to maintain certification.

“Board certification has to be meaningful and relevant to each physician’s clinical practice, and the technology needs to meet diplomates where they are. We believe the new exam formats address these priorities, especially because they can be customized for each physician,” said Daniel G. Williams, DO, vice president of certifying board services.

Other AOA boards are also moving to replace the traditional exam with online assessments. The American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine announced it is planning a pilot program similar to the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Beginning June 1, American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology diplomates will take online, open-book exams every three years, instead of a closed-book, paper exam every 10 years.

Source: The DO