ASSESSMENT PROGRAM DESIGN

The Assessment is designed to evaluate the physician-participant’s competence through use of standardized testing, specialty-specific and individualized testing tools. An Associate Medical Director for Assessments oversees the Assessment and attends clinical interviews to ensure that the process is reflective of the physician-participant’s practice specialty and also takes into account any noted reason for referral. The Associate Medical Director incorporates results from the physician-participant’s performance in each assessment modality into a written Report.

EVALUATION TOOLS

The selection and use of the testing modalities varies with each Assessment.

Clinical Interviews
Clinical Interviews are evaluations of the physician-participant conducted by physician-consultants in the same specialty field. Each consultant is certified through a Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. The consultant reviews patient care management based on charts submitted by the participant and hypothetical case scenarios. X-ray films or videotapes of surgical procedures may also be used in the interview process. These ninety-minute oral interviews are used to evaluate the physician-participant’s medical knowledge, clinical judgment, documentation, and peer communication skills.

Note: On occasion, physician-participants are unable to provide charts from their practice, either because they have not been in practice for a number of years or because the facility at which they work is unable or unwilling to release them. In these situations, hypothetical case scenarios are used as the basis for the interviews.

Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Knowledge Test
These instruments are targeted to the physician-participant’s specialty and practice. Analysis of the physician-participant’s performance identifies areas of strength as well as areas for new learning. Normative data is provided when available.

Electrocardiogram Interpretation (ECGs)
Physician-participants whose practice includes reading electrocardiogram tracings are asked to complete a multiple-choice examination on electrocardiogram interpretation. Physicians may also be presented with ECG tracings and asked to provide an interpretation and suggested course of action.

Fetal Monitor Strips
Physician-participants providing obstetric care in their practice are asked to read fetal monitor strips and provide an interpretation and course of action for each strip.

Physician Communication Skills
Effective communication and formation of therapeutic physician-patient relationships are assessed through the use of Simulated Patient (SP) encounters. The physician-participant conducts a patient interview in an exam-room setting. The patient cases are selected based on the physician-participant’s specialty area. Both the SPs and the physician-participant evaluate the interaction. The patient encounters are videotaped and analyzed by a communication consultant. The consultant provides the physician-participant with feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Simulated Patient Chart Notes
Following each Simulated Patient (SP) encounter, the physician-participant is asked to document each encounter in a chart note.

Cognitive Function Screen
Microcog™, a computer-based assessment of cognitive skills, is a screening test to help determine which physician-participants should be given a complete neuropsychological workup. The test is viewed as a screening instrument only and is not diagnostic.

This screening test does not require proficiency with computers; a proctor is available to answer questions about test instructions. Test performance or expected test performance can be impacted by a number of factors, including normal aging and background. A neuropsychologist analyzes the test results, taking these factors into account.

Review of Health Information
The physician-participant is asked to submit the findings from a recent physical examination including a hearing and vision screen. If indicated, program staff requests information related to specific health concerns.