Simulator for Recertification

[Metalblade]

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Has anyone done the Simulation Course for recertification? How much does it cost? Is there any prep involved? Does everyone basically pass?

 

[Intrathecal]

I am looking into this as well. The ASA website has information about where different institutions offer these courses. I am looking into places in California and there's a course there at Irvine for $1800. From what I gather it's a course where they put you in the hot seat and they run through some critical event/situations, and the purpose is to improve skills in communication and teamwork so as to improve patient safety by decreasing ambiguous communication (paraphrased from the ASA website).

Sounds to me like just another ploy to get money from us new guys.

 

[aneftp]

Simulator is "for experimental purposes".

You don't get a grade. Seriously. It's a learning experience and a joke at the same time.

My cousin and my friend just went through the simulator courses and they shared the same experience.

If not for me about to switch jobs and making my next employer pay for those benefits. I want someone to shell out the ridiculous $1500-1800 cost for the simulator course. Pure money maker for the ABA and their "business associates".

Just show up. No grading.

 

[Ventil8]

I actually facilitate a MOCA simulator. I hope it doesn't come off as a waste of time...

The posters, however, are correct that for the moment it is formative testing as opposed to summative (you are supposed to learn not pass/fail).

Our day entails 6 scenarios ranging the spectrum of likely patient encounters. We ask the candidates to assume different roles and manage cases of advancing difficulty. The best experience is always if a few people from one group can come together because when you call for help or discuss a protocol at your institution it makes more sense to know what they are talking about.

We charge $1200 I believe (plus your travel/hotel) and this barely meets our costs (sim center plus 1:4 faculty coverage).

I expect it will be come high-stakes testing in the not-too-distant future, so if you want to blow it off, do it soon!

PM with questions

 

[Intrathecal]

Unfortunately, I can't help but see it as a waste of time. I don't see any additional benefit one would gain after having completed an anesthesia residency, passed the written and oral boards, practicing anesthesia full time, and having to do this simulator. After passing the exams, we have demonstrated that we have a good grasp of the principles of anesthesia and able to verbally apply it and communicate our knowledge effectively in clinical scenarios (oral board exam).

Also it doesn't make sense that only folks certified after a certain year, what I think it's 2000, have to do this. If anything, I think some of my colleagues who have practiced for 20+ years need some brushing up on their clinical skills, and these simulator courses might actually benefit a lot of anesthesiologists in that category. If they were to make this a requirement for recertification, it should apply to everyone.

I did hear from one guy in my group who was grandfathered into the system that nowadays some hospitals would still require them to recertify regardless of when they initially obtained certification. However, I'm not sure whether they would have to do the simulator part or just take a written recertification exam.

It's a big financial hit too. Even though the course itself would be reimbursed by the hosptial, I would probably have to take a few days off from work just to do this since there aren't any courses in my area, that's another several thousand worth of earnings that just vanished in the air.

IMO, BIG Waste of time and money.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Unfortunately, I can't help but see it as a waste of time. I don't see any additional benefit one would gain after having completed an anesthesia residency, passed the written and oral boards, practicing anesthesia full time, and having to do this simulator. After passing the exams, we have demonstrated that we have a good grasp of the principles of anesthesia and able to verbally apply it and communicate our knowledge effectively in clinical scenarios (oral board exam).

Also it doesn't make sense that only folks certified after a certain year, what I think it's 2000, have to do this. If anything, I think some of my colleagues who have practiced for 20+ years need some brushing up on their clinical skills, and these simulator courses might actually benefit a lot of anesthesiologists in that category. If they were to make this a requirement for recertification, it should apply to everyone.

I did hear from one guy in my group who was grandfathered into the system that nowadays some hospitals would still require them to recertify regardless of when they initially obtained certification. However, I'm not sure whether they would have to do the simulator part or just take a written recertification exam.

It's a big financial hit too. Even though the course itself would be reimbursed by the hosptial, I would probably have to take a few days off from work just to do this since there aren't any courses in my area, that's another several thousand worth of earnings that just vanished in the air.

IMO, BIG Waste of time and money.

While I certainly respect and appreciate people like Ventil who take time out of their days to run the sim center, I completely agree with the above poster. It really ticks me off that we have to do this. Unfortunately I was the first class to be required to do Step 2 CS. Throughout our school and training and even now, we shell out thousands of dollars for some random person to give us a "pass/fail." IMO, this sim test is the worst of them all. I can certainly understand the written and oral boards but this is completely ridiculous. Most people have to take at minimum 2 days off of work, either losing out on cases and billing or taking up valuable vacation time. Not only are these tests $2000+, think about the travel, hotel, and meals.

If this test becomes more strict, so be it, but I'm waiting to the last year to do it hopeful that this test will be eliminated. I'd really encourage all people who agree to voice their opinion to the ASA.

 

[Gern Blansten]

This group is taking the ABMS to court over recertification and MOC.
http://www.aapsonline.org/index.php/site/article/aaps_takes_moc_to_court/

 

[loveumms]

While I certainly respect and appreciate people like Ventil who take time out of their days to run the sim center, I completely agree with the above poster. It really ticks me off that we have to do this. Unfortunately I was the first class to be required to do Step 2 CS. Throughout our school and training and even now, we shell out thousands of dollars for some random person to give us a "pass/fail." IMO, this sim test is the worst of them all. I can certainly understand the written and oral boards but this is completely ridiculous. Most people have to take at minimum 2 days off of work, either losing out on cases and billing or taking up valuable vacation time. Not only are these tests $2000+, think about the travel, hotel, and meals.

If this test becomes more strict, so be it, but I'm waiting to the last year to do it hopeful that this test will be eliminated. I'd really encourage all people who agree to voice their opinion to the ASA.

Simulation is the 'wave' of the future. The oral boards in 2014 will have a simulation component ... it's here to stay so we might as well get as much out of it as we can.