I recently had to register to recertify for my echo boards and it got me thinking more about board exams, review courses and\u00a0such.\u00a0 What is it about exams?\u00a0 Just what are we testing?\u00a0 Is it basic knowledge, competency, advanced knowledge?\u00a0\u00a0In addition, what do we expect our fellows to know as they take\u00a0exams?\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is also an issue that came up at our recent fellowship directors meeting. What level of learning do we expect fellows to have\u00a0upon completion of training?\u00a0 Is testing for competency enough?\u00a0 Look it up: the\u00a0defintion of\u00a0“competence” ranges from “adequate for the purpose,” to “the ability to perform tasks and duties to the standard expected in employment,” to\u00a0“being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually.”\u00a0 What do you think we should be testing for on certification exams?\u00a0\u00a0What should\u00a0our standards be?\u00a0\u00a0Once we have proven that we\u00a0are competent, how often should\u00a0we have\u00a0to demonstrate this?\u00a0 And just what does this mean?\u00a0 Any more than\u00a0a little piece of paper?\u00a0 I think\u00a0recertification exams do have value:\u00a0this is discussed in the recent blog by Dr. John Mandrola.<\/a>\u00a0What about the physicians who are exempted (\u201cgrandfathered\u201d)?<\/p>\n