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The ABAM Certification and Recertification Examination. Saturday, December 15, 2012. Introduction to the ABAM Examination. Purpose: To identify for patients, physicians with the knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within the specialty of Addiction Medicine.
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The ABAM Certification and Recertification Examination Saturday, December 15, 2012
Introduction to the ABAM Examination • Purpose: To identify for patients, physicians with the knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within the specialty of Addiction Medicine. • ABAM-Certification involves a rigorous process of testing that is designed and administered by specialists in the field of Addiction Medicine. This certification closely parallels standards set by the ABMS. • Select criteria are met to sit for the examination. • To date, over 2,500 Physicians have been certified in Addiction Medicine by ABAM.
Value of ABAM Certification to Physicians • Treatment Centers, hospitals, & managed care organizations actively seek & recruit ABAM-Certified members to provide direction & leadership for their programs. • Several states (such as NJ) require their Medical Directors be certified in ADM. • Physicians who hold ABAM-Certification qualify to receive a waiver from the special registration requirements of the Controlled Substances Act for the provision of medication-assisted opioid therapy. • Board Certification enhances applications for those interested in medical school faculty appointments. • State Hospitals & Medical Facilities call on ABAM-Certified Physicians for testimony on issues and legislation related to substance abuse & treatment. • The widely-recognized National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2008 Standards for Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHOs) require MBHOs accredited by NCQA to have policies & procedures for credentialing "psychiatrists and/or physicians who are certified in addiction medicine." NCQA-recognition supports ABAM-certified physicians eligibility for credentialing by NCQA-accredited MBHOs. • Board Certification provides Credibility with third-party payers when advocating for patient treatment/length of stay.
Number Certified by Year in Addiction Medicine Pass Rates 1986 (76%) 1987 (79%) 1988 (83%) 1990 (84%) 1992 (89%) 1994 (83%) 1996 (79%) 1998 (80%) 2000 (86%) 2002 (85%) 2004 (88%) 2006 (85%) 2008 (86%) 2010 (82%)
Test Centers/Permits • Computer examination is on Saturday, December 15th at Prometric Test Centers (over 400 test centers to choose from) Prior to the Exam • Use your electronic permit (to be sent mid-September by email) to schedule a Prometric test center • Take the Tutorial on the ABAM Web Site (in the late fall) • Confirm your testing appointment & verify your test time (7 days prior to the exam as test times vary)
Exam Day • Get to the Test Center 30 mins. early. No late entry is available for the exam. • Bring to the test center: • A copy of your electronic permit • Government-Issued Identification • Test Center Confirmation, Address & Phone # • Snacks
Preparing for the Examination • Stay current with general medical & psychiatric journals and guidelines • Read ASAM’s Principles of Addiction Medicine • Read ASAM’s Journal of Addiction Medicine Subscription included with ASAM membership • Attend either Review Course Held in Nashville, TN (given by ASAM, 9/20-22/12) or in San Francisco, CA (given by CSAM, 9/5-8/12) • Do online exam tutorial just prior to exam
Content of the ABAM Certification and Recertification Examination • Focus on information from clinical setting and on common and important patient problems • Emphasis on assessing application of knowledge (vs. recalling isolated facts) • The Exam Includes: Multiple choice questions (single best answer, some matching, some multi-part items) Clinical vignettes Calculator & provides normal range values • The Exam does not include: trick questions, k-type questions, true/false items, and un-scored items
Examination Schedule Optional Tutorial* 15 mins. Block 1: 50 Items 60 mins. Block 2: 50 Items 60 mins. Block 3: 50 Items 60 mins. Block 4: 50 Items 60 mins. Block 5: 50 Items 60 mins. Optional Break Time 15 mins. Optional Survey 5mins. Total: 5.5 Hours *can be taken as break time