What is ABIM PIM?
ABIM requires its physician Diplomates to complete four components for Maintenance of Certification (MOC):
- MOC Part I: Professional Standing—refers to evidence of current, unrestricted medical license.
- MOC Part II: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment—refers to evidence of commitment to lifelong learning and periodic self-assessment. Options include the ABIM 60 multiple-choice-question, self-assessment Knowledge Modules or the ACC self-assessment program, ACCSAP 6. Successful completion of one ABIM Knowledge Module or its ACCSAP equivalent awards 20 points.
- MOC Part III: Cognitive Expertise—refers to evidence of cognitive expertise based on performance on the recertification examination every 10 years.
- MOC Part IV: Practice Performance Assessment (a new requirement effective January 1, 2006) —refers to evidence of self-evaluation of practice performance and quality improvement. ABIM has developed web-based, self-directed Practice Improvement Modules (PIMs) on topics such as preventive cardiology, care of the vulnerable elderly, clinical preventive services, etc. Each module requires the candidate to review up to 25 charts or to perform up to 25 patient surveys to evaluate and improve practice performance. ABIM has also approved alternative pathways for MOC Part IV. Successful completion of one ABIM PIM, or alternative, approved pathway, awards 20 points.
To recertify in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, or Interventional Cardiology, every Diplomate must pass a secure examination and earn 100 points, including at least 20 points for MOC Part II and 20 points for MOC Part IV.
Why is MOC Important to me?
- If you need to recertify in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, or Interventional Cardiology within the next 10 years, you will need to obtain 100 points, of which 20 points have to be for self-evaluation of practice performance—MOC Part IV.
- Candidates can also earn these 20 points through active participation in the D2B Alliance at the local hospital—this has been approved by ABIM as an alternative pathway for practice performance. The 20 points earned through the D2B Alliance remain valid for 10 years.
How do I get D2B ABIM Points?
For physicians to obtain 20 MOC Part IV points, their facility must engage in a D2B quality impovement effort based on the recommendations of the D2B Alliance and the Physician must be an active participant in the project.
When you are ready to claim your 20 points:
- Go to www.abim.org
- Click on the tab: “Online Services”
- Enter your Candidate Number and Password
- Select: “Report Established Quality Improvement Activity for Practice Performance Credit” on your home page
- Select: “ACC D2B”
You will be asked to report on five performance measures for the D2B project, which are:
- Percent of STEMI patients (non-transferred) with door-to-balloon < or =90 minutes
- Percent of STEMI patients when the emergency department physician activated catheterization lab
- Percent of STEMI patients when the catheterization lab is activated with a single call
- Percent of STEMI patients when patient departed emergency department <30 minutes after activation
- Percent of STEMI patients where door-to-balloon data is reviewed with staff within 48 hours
You will be asked to reflect on your D2B quality improvement experience by answering 12 brief, open-ended questions. These questions can also be found under ABIM Attestation & Questions in the ABIM Certification & CME section of the www.d2balliance web site.
Is this program just for interventional cardiologists?
No.
The D2B points can be awarded to any cardiologist and are valid for recertification in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and/or Interventional Cardiology for cardiologists who actively participate in the D2B initiative at their hospital.
Can I receive CME credit in addition to ABIM points?
Yes.
Physicians who actively participate in a D2B quality improvement project may earn up to 20 AMA PRA CME Category 1™ credits in addition to the 20 MOC Part IV points received from ABIM. Please click here to claim your CME credits.
D2B and ABIM will be tracking and awarding AMA PRA CME Category 1™ credits to all physicians who claim the 20 points from ABIM for self-evaluation of practice performance through active participation in the D2B Alliance.