Effects of Self-Study and Self-Assessment Continuing Medical Education Programs on Maintenance of Certification Examination Performance

• In Event: On the Use and Validity of Tests in the Professions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine whether participation in self-study and self-assessment CME programs improves physicians’ performance on a Board Maintenance of Certification (MOC) examination. Linear regression showed that participation in such CME programs within one year of taking the MOC exam predicted higher performance on the MOC exam after controlling for primary certification written and oral exam scores. Logistic regression showed that those who participated in such programs within one year of taking the MOC exam were 2.25 times more likely to pass MOC exam compared to those who never participated. Participation in such programs more than one year prior to taking MOC exam did not have significant effect on the MOC exam.

Authors

• Huaping Sun, The American Board of Anesthesiology

• Yan Zhou, The American Board of Anesthesiology 

• Ann Elizabeth Harman, American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)