IM re-cert, hmmmmm

[ThinkTooMuch]

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scroll down the comments from doctors and their family member is interesting, i think.

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/09/internal-medicine-recertification-is.html

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The post linked to is from 2006.

The pass rate for 1st time recert in 2008 was 92%.

I took it recently, it was no big deal and no different from the exam that the 1st time certifiers take.

I love how, in those blog posts, people are convinced that they are good doctors despite the fact that they failed the exam. Just because you haven't been sued or your patients love you does not mean you are a great doctor (although the latter is quite important)

 

[dragonfly99]

Yeah, the pass rate is in the low 90% range. I have to say, though, that I didn't feel like the ABIM exam had much to do with being a good internist...not that folks shouldn't be able to pass it...but to me it consisted mainly of regurgitating a lot of factoids, and wasn't a problem solving test like the USMLE Step 2 and 3, which require that you actually have a clue about management of common clinical scenarios. The ABIM exam seemed more about memorize-and-regurgitate factoids, many of which could be looked up in a book anyway (like obscure rheumatology tests, etc.). Day to day internal medicine practice is more about being conscientious about following up on test results, managing diabetes and hypertension, and doing relevant health screenings, such as cancer screenings, for your patient. Not that it's not important to know something about rare diseases, but I felt like this exam just tested rote memorization, not thinking or problem solving.

I do think it's somewhat of a scam in the sense that selling the review books and giving the exam is a big money maker. The test costs >>$1000 (even for residents, who make say 40k/year and are paying back hefty student loans of several hundred dollars/month or more) and the review books cost $500 or so minimum.

 

[jabreal00]

Yeah, the pass rate is in the low 90% range. I have to say, though, that I didn't feel like the ABIM exam had much to do with being a good internist...not that folks shouldn't be able to pass it...but to me it consisted mainly of regurgitating a lot of factoids, and wasn't a problem solving test like the USMLE Step 2 and 3, which require that you actually have a clue about management of common clinical scenarios. The ABIM exam seemed more about memorize-and-regurgitate factoids, many of which could be looked up in a book anyway (like obscure rheumatology tests, etc.). Day to day internal medicine practice is more about being conscientious about following up on test results, managing diabetes and hypertension, and doing relevant health screenings, such as cancer screenings, for your patient. Not that it's not important to know something about rare diseases, but I felt like this exam just tested rote memorization, not thinking or problem solving.

I do think it's somewhat of a scam in the sense that selling the review books and giving the exam is a big money maker. The test costs >>$1000 (even for residents, who make say 40k/year and are paying back hefty student loans of several hundred dollars/month or more) and the review books cost $500 or so minimum.

I don't think I agree. I look at it as the opposite. USMLE II/III focused more on the esoteric disease that one in clinical practice may never see. There was more focus on remembering pathoneumonics. The IM board to me tested overall IM knowledge base. I think any decent internist should be able to pass it. ---------------- Listening to: Project Skyward - Between Two Worlds via FoxyTunes

 

[dragonfly99]

Hmmm...well I agree the IM boards are pretty easy to pass...I just thought the questions pretty much rely on rote memorization to get them right, though. I thought USMLE II/III tested critical thinking more. For the USMLE Step III, for example, there is that free response/problem solving section where you actually have to manage a virtual patient across several hours of "time".