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CORE EXAM Christopher P. Zabbo, DO, FACEP, FACOEP
by ACOEP
CORE EXAM
By Christopher P. Zabbo, DO, FACEP, FACOEP Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine Secretary, American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine T he American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) recently announced the launch of its new annual Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) examination. The Continuous Osteopathic Recertification Examination (CORE) will replace the 10-year examination known as the Cognitive Assessment Recertification Examination.
OVERVIEW
If you have an active AOBEM certification, you are eligible to participate in the Continuous Osteopathic Recertification Exam (CORE). You DO NOT need to enter CORE until your certification expiration year. You MUST enter CORE by your certification expiration year. If your certification expired in 2019 or before, please review the process for the OCC Cognitive Assessment Examination. All new diplomates will enter directly into CORE upon successful completion of the initial certification process. (Example: A physician obtains initial board certification in 2021 would begin CORE in 2022.)
WHAT IS MY CME REQUIREMENT?
A physician must earn 60 CME credits for the 2019-2021 CME cycle. AOA specialty certifying boards will not require diplomates to obtain specialty-specific CME during the 20192021 CME cycle. View the 2019-2021 CME Guide for more information on activities that may serve to meet the requirement.
For the 2019-2021 CME cycle, all nontime-limited diplomates will be required to earn 120 total CME credits, unless they choose to voluntarily participate in OCC.
WHO NEEDS TO DO COLA AND WHO NEEDS TO DO CORE?
CORE is an annual examination that will replace your COLA requirement and the 10-year recertification exam. To enter CORE, you need to have a specific number of COLAs completed. You DO NOT need to enter CORE until your certification expiration year. You MUST enter CORE during your certification expiration year. You need to successfully complete eight COLA modules to enter CORE during your certification expiration year. You DO NOT need to start CORE early. If, and only if, you want to begin CORE early, you may enter the CORE with a pro-rated COLA requirement based on your certification expiration year. View the AOBEM Core phasein plan on the CORE homepage to learn more about your COLA requirement.
COLA MODULES
The COLA modules are available on the AOA Online Learning Platform. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage and select APPLY NOW.
WHAT EXACTLY IS CORE?
Taken annually, CORE is an online exam that can be completed anytime via the AOA’s Online Learning Platform. You may use the educational resources typically available to you in the emergency department. Yes, it is open book!
Upon logging in, you will gain access to two exam sections: • Section 1: Two required core content modules • Section 2: Eight article-based modules. You are required to take and pass four of the eight modules
Upon completing all six required modules (two core content and four article-based), you will complete a short survey and receive a certificate of completion.
From time of sign-up, you have until the end of the year of the CORE administration to complete the exam. CORE 2021 application is open now and closes November 15, 2021. You have until December 1, 2021 to successfully complete the CORE 2021.
A passing score of 75% is required for each module. You will have three attempts for each module, with the following stipulations: • You must wait one week after each attempt before retaking the same module. Be sure to take this into account when completing modules near the December 1 deadline.
• You have the option to move on to a different module, if available, without delay. CORE Content
The exam consists of 40-60 questions based on two or three content areas from the Table of Specifications (shown below) and four current practice articles: 2020: Respiratory/Thoracic, Hematology/Immunology 2021: Musculoskeletal; Nervous System 2022: Toxicology; Cutaneous 2023: Trauma; Psychiatry 2024: ID, EMS/Disaster 2025: Environmental, Cardiovascular 2026: Abdominal/GI, Administration 2027: OB/Gyn, Endocrine/Metabolic 2028: HEENT, Renal/Urogenital
ACCESSING CORE
Upon registering, allow five to seven business days to receive access to your exam. Following review of your application and OCC status, you will receive an email with CORE login instructions.
WHAT ABOUT QI, PPA’S, ATTESTATIONS…?
Component 4: Practice Performance Assessment & Improvement remains in effect.
As practicing EM physicians, it is likely that we are already participating in these activities. All you need to do is go online an attest to participating in the activities. Diplomates must complete two attestations every ten years.
Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list of all possible QI activities, but rather a list to help you recognize activities you may already be participating in that qualify for credit. Meaningful Use Attestation for EMR Patient Satisfaction / Patient Experience of Care (PEC) / Physician Communication Skills (patient surveys, CAHPS, Press Ganey) Core Measures CMS PQRS Quality Measures MACRA / Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) participation Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (annual registration) Committee service (participation as a member of an institutional / departmental QI / clinical quality / safety review committee Physicians can visit the AOA Physician Portal to fill out an attestation form.
WHERE DO I STAND IN THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS?
To check your progress with OCC, visit the AOA Physician Portal.
Visit the ACOEP website at https://acoep.org/ education-events/core-exam/ for links to a FAQ sheet, a webinar that covers all of this information, and information regarding the phase-in plan.
The American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine has worked hard to make this a smooth process for all diplomates and appreciates feedback to make the experience even better. Those with individual issues are encouraged to reach out to have their concerns addressed directly.–•–
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH ACOEP’S SPRING SEMINAR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS (continued from page 11)
what he’s waiting for!” So, I asked her what she did during her free time. She said that she was a foster mother to 7 teenagers, and I knew I had her. I told her that God hadn’t taken her yet because she hadn’t fulfilled her mission. Where would those teenagers go if she was to die? She broke down and cried. We talked for another 15 minutes or so about a few other things and I discharged her. She thanked me and hugged me as she left. I did nothing medical for her except provide a listening ear. We focus so much on metrics and medicine that sometimes we forget to listen to our patients. So, I tell that story to my students and residents to remind them to listen to their patients. –•–
