ABOIM Review Course Q&A with Wendy Warner, MD
Eight Questions about the 2016 American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) Review Course offered by the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM)
1. Who should take the ABOIM Review Course?
Most of the MDs and DOs signing up—especially ABIHM Diplomates—are established integrative clinicians and academics interested in qualifying for the ABOIM exam through their experience and previous education instead of completing another fellowship.
Until December 1, 2016, MDs and DOs can apply to sit for the May 2017 ABOIM exam without a fellowship in integrative medicine if they meet 500 points of achievement in CME, education and experience. 200 points are awarded for being an active ABIHM Diplomate. The rest can be gathered from integrative medicine CME and practice experience. (Please note, my understanding is that applications have to be approved by December 1.)
Wendy Warner, MD, ABIHM, AIHM Annual Conference Faculty, ABOIM Review Course
I also expect to see a good number of physicians who have completed a fellowship but want a leg up before sitting for the exam. Integrative medicine encompasses a breadth of topics. This review course enables doctors to focus. We apply best board preparation techniques to modalities they have been practicing for years. We updated the curriculum to focus on key clinical pearls for specific disease treatment strategies. History of integrative medicine, mind-body medicine, and professional practice, among other topics, can all be accessed from the recorded lectures of 2015.
The ABOIM is setting the new standard for integrative medicine credentials. Academics, researchers and those from large healthcare systems are often the first to secure certification. Those in private practice seem to be interested so that the patients, who are increasingly interested in integrative care, can quickly identify their training. The decision to pursue certification, especially if you already carry ABIHM behind your name, is a case-by-case decision.
Last year, there was also a set of what I affectionately call “IM newbies.” These are MDs and DOs who are looking to ramp up on integrative approaches quickly. They are curious and typically inspired by personal experience. They seek science-based, clinical pearls that they can integrate into their practice. Especially if they complete the prep work online, they will gain a lot from the experience.
2. Why is the Academy offering the ABOIM Board Review Course?
The Academy is uniquely qualified to offer the ABOIM review. We built the course based on 15 years of experience preparing MDs and DOs for the integrative holistic medical board certification (ABIHM). Now, we are the only review resource where ABOIM directly refers candidates. ABOIM representatives will be onsite in San Diego and available for questions.
This is our second year offering the course and I am excited about the enhancements.
3. I’ve been studying and running an integrative medical practice for five, ten, fifteen years – why do I need to attend a board review?
I don’t know a single doctor who doesn’t get tingles of anxiety when it comes to preparing for a board exam. While many sitting for the ABOIM have been practicing for years—or may even be an ABIHM Diplomate—knowing how to study effectively and tackle a new exam is helpful.
You’re are running a busy practice/life. Between patients, charting, and making dinner, creating a study plan is a challenge. We have built a laser-focused, high-yield course that is specifically designed to set you up for success. We started from a blueprint of the eight “domains” provided by ABOIM and incorporated enhancements based on feedback from ABOIM test takers. By adding pre-work, the entire experience is more robust.
Plus, if your aim is to sit for the exam by earning 500 points in integrative medicine, the CME you will earn before and during the course is exactly the kind required by ABOIM.
The course includes 2015 ABOIM Review Course Online Videos (15 lectures), which are required before the conference in October and an online practice exam with 258 questions.
4. Who teaches the course?
Our Faculty includes an ABOIM Diplomate and veteran teachers. I am part of a four-person team along with Hal Blatman, MD, ABIHM, James Roach, MD, ABIHM, and Erika Cappelluti, MD, PhD, ABIHM, ABOIM.
When you register, you also have access to rest of the lectures outside of the review course. Please check out the program online. While I acknowledge a bias because I serve as a conference committee member, I have to say—the program is fantastic. And, the special renewal and rejuvenation events are close to my heart. Each year, I help lead the Crones School. Ask me about it in San Diego!
(Click on a photo below for full faculty bios).
5. Is there CME?
Yes, you start earning CME even before you arrive in San Diego. Historically, our lectures have been fully qualified for AMA PRA Category 1TM credits for both live and enduring content. The total accreditation is being finalized, but my estimate is between 25 and 30. If you are interested in sitting for the exam without a Fellowship, integrative medicine CME are crucial for qualification before December 1, 2016.
6. Logistics? Where, when, costs?
Dates: The review course is embedded in the AIHM Annual Conference. The specific review lectures happen over three days, Monday, Oct. 31–Wednesday, Nov. 2. We meet in the afternoons (2:00 pm–5:00 pm). Some people elect to attend the conference just on review days, but I hope you will join us as much as possible! Please keep in mind that the online preparation materials have to be completed before your arrival. That content provides a springboard for our focused onsite lectures.
Where: Paradise Point Hotel, San Diego, CA
Cost: $350 for Members, $375 for Non-Members—in addition to conference registration. All of the preparation materials are covered by this fee.
7. How do I sign up and prepare?
To register, please add the ABOIM review course during your conference registration. The Friday after you register, you will receive a welcome email that includes access to your online preparation materials.
Add ABOIM Review Course to your Conference Registration
Exam Preparation Resources
8. Who do I contact with questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Jesse Dykhuis at jdykhuis@aihm.org or (218) 525-5651 x 1017. Jesse and I teamed up last year and she was involved with the product development. She has worked closely with ABIHM Diplomates for a couple years so she can help navigate through related questions there as well.
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