Continuing Certification Program

Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (Part II) Overview

Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (Part II) consists of three components

A) Literature review modules – one required per three-year timeframe
B) Patient safety activity – one required per three-year timeframe
C) Continuing Education Credits (CMEs) – 75 CMEs required per three-year timeframe

Diplomates in more than one specialty may choose to complete the literature review module requirement in any of the specialties in which they are certified.

The ABMGG and ACMG have partnered to offer both the literature review modules and the ABMGG safety module through the ACMG learning lounge platform with the opportunity to obtain CME credits for $25 after completing the module. Diplomates who do not wish to receive CMEs may complete the activities at no cost.

Once you have completed the activities, you must upload the certificate of completion into your ABMGG portal for credit. If you completed the module for CME credit, you must submit the documentation separately in the CME section of the ABMGG portal.

Literature Review Modules

The Literature Review modules are comprised of 5-8 current and relevant literature articles in each specialty.  The topics encompass new clinical applications or methodologies, diagnostic methods and approaches, management and treatment of genetic conditions, and relevant practice guidelines. 

New modules will be posted every two years. Each module will be available for a four-year period of time, so that at least two modules within each specialty will be available at any given time.

Each literature review module consists of:

• Optional pre-reading test - Diplomates can take a 25-question pre-test. The score of the pre-test is revealed to the test taker only and a passing score does not exempt the diplomate from taking the post-test.
• Set of required reading -Full citations for five to eight specialty-specific articles will be listed.
• Post-reading test - Consists of the same 25 multiple-choice questions as the pre-test. Responses are scored immediately. Diplomates who do not achieve a passing score of 80% may repeat the test until a passing score is attained.

Safety Module

The ABMGG Patient Safety Module consists of an informational slideshow concluded with a quiz. Diplomates who do not achieve a passing score of 80% may repeat the test until a passing score is attained.

Available Modules

Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics Literature Review (Issue 2017)

Clinical Biochemical Genetics Literature Review (Issue 2017)

Clinical Cytogenetics and Genomics Literature Review (Issue 2017)

Clinical Genetics and Genomics Literature Review (Issue 2017)

American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) MOC: Safety Module

ABMGG's Continuing of Certification program is designed for board-certified diplomates to participate in continuous professional development, assuring lifelong learning and competency in their specialty(ies).

All Member Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) require their diplomates to actively participate in MOC. The ABMS Program for MOC involves ongoing measurement of six core competencies defined by ABMS and ACGME:

• Practice-based Learning and Improvement
• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Systems-based Practice
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Professionalism

These competencies are measured within a four-part framework:

• Part I: Professionalism and Professional Standing
• Part II: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
• Part III: Assessment of Knowledge, Judgment, and Skills
• Part IV: Improvement in Medical Practice

For more information about the requirements for ABMG Diplomates, please click here . 

Practice Improvement Modules

Practice Improvement modules are derived from accepted practice guidelines related to genetics patient care. Modules are available for pediatric genetics, adult genetics and prenatal/obstetric genetic care providers.

Process:

1. Educational Content – Review module, literature, and practice checklist
2. Charting – Each module requires the learner to review up to 5 patient charts and documenting certain findings according to the module questions.
3. Peer Comparison and Self-reflection Questions
4. Evaluation

Completion of these modules should be based on actual patient care as documented in your patient chart.

The process is not meant to be punitive but designed to help assess practice and facilitate practice improvement. The modules should be completed honestly based on documentation in the chart. An audit process may be implemented by ACMG to document compliance. Learners should keep track of the specific charts used to complete the practice module so that these charts could be reproduced in the setting of an audit.

Self-reflections should be meaningful and provide evidence that the diplomate has considered the practice guidelines contained in the exercise in the context of their own clinical practice. Answers to reflection questions should be 2-3 full sentences long and have thoughtful content. Answers to reflection questions will be anonymized and reviewed for content by the MOC committee. Reflections that do not meet these guidelines will be returned to the diplomate for revision. Revisions that do not meet guidelines may result in forfeiture of MOC credit for a given module and a request to repeat the module.

1. Do you think this module reflects best practice? Please elaborate whether you agree or disagree and state why.
2. Did you identify any gaps in your practice? If so, please elaborate.
3. If you identified gaps in your practice, what changes do you plan make to your practice based on this module?
4. What if any barriers do you foresee for implementing change if you identified gaps in your practice? For example, short staffing, time factors etc.

Available Modules

Prenatal Genetics

Evaluation of Abnormal Maternal Serum Screening
For geneticists who are involved in the counseling and decision making for patients with a documented abnormal maternal serum screen.

Prenatal Genetic Screening for Fetal Aneuploidy 
For clinical geneticists who are involved in the acquisition, interpretation and counseling for fetal aneuploidy screening. It is NOT intended for those clinical geneticists who are involved with counseling screen positive patients AFTER screening samples are obtained.

Genetic Counseling for Preconception or Prenatal Diagnosis
For geneticists involved in prenatal or preconception evaluation or counseling for any conditions. This is NOT specific for but may include first trimester screening or maternal serum screening abnormalities.

Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)
For the geneticist who is involved in counseling prenatal patients about genetic screening options for aneuploidy including NIPS. This module is not for the individual who counsels on results of NIPS ordered by another provider.

Medical Genetics

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
For geneticists who are involved in the initial and ongoing care of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. This does NOT include patients with known atypical deletions or who have duplications of this region.

Assessment and Management of Fragile X Syndrome
For geneticists who are involved in the initial and ongoing care of patients with Fragile X syndrome. This does NOT include prenatal screening but the postnatal care of patients.

Autism Spectrum Disorder
For geneticists involved in the further evaluation and care of patients diagnosed with Autism.

Classic Galactosemia
For geneticist who provide initial and ongoing care to patients diagnosed with galactosemia. This does NOT include the follow up of newborn screen abnormalities but focuses on patients diagnosed with galactosemia.

Down Syndrome
For geneticists who are involved in the initial and ongoing care of patients with Down syndrome. This does NOT include prenatal screening but the post-natal care of patients.

Evaluation of the Individual with Suspected Marfan Syndrome
For clinical geneticists who are involved in the diagnosis and counseling of patients with suspected Marfan syndrome.

General Genetics Patient
This module is for documenting the steps taken in a consult for any patient with any diagnosis. A general module that anyone can use who is seeing consults or referrals in clinic for diagnostic purposes.

Hearing Loss
For clinical geneticists who are involved in the genetic evaluation and counseling of patients and families with hearing loss to determine, particularly with regard to determining genetic etiology.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome and Isolated Lateralized Overgrowth (Isolated Hemihyperplasia or Hemihypertrophy)
For geneticists who are involved in the diagnosis, counseling and management of patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome and Isolated Lateralized Overgrowth (Isolated Hemihyperplasia or Hemihypertrophy). This module is geared toward the initial evaluation and management of patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome and Isolated Lateralized Overgrowth, not for the evaluation of whether Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome and Isolated Lateralized Overgrowth is in the differential.

Management of Patients with MCAD deficiency
For geneticists who are involved in the diagnosis and management of patients with MCAD deficiency.

Management of Patients with Urea Cycle Disorders
For geneticist who provide ongoing care to patients diagnosed with Urea Cycle Defects.

Neurofibromatosis-Type 1 (NF1)
For geneticists who are involved in the initial and ongoing care of patients with Neurofibromatosis. This does NOT include the evaluation of patients for possible Neurofibromatosis but the ongoing care of diagnosed patients.

Phenylketonuria Due to Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Deficiency
For a geneticist who provides ongoing care to patients diagnosed with phenylketonuria due to phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency.

Turner Syndrome and Klinefelter Syndrome
Turner Syndrome is a common disorder due to aneuploidy of the sex chromosomes. This MOC provides practice performance assessments for a total of 5 patients with Turner Syndrome or Klinefelter Syndrome.

Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) Result Updating
For clinical geneticists and other clinicians who are involved in the clinical care of patients that have received a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) through genetic testing. 

Cancer Genetics

Assessment for the Possibility of Cowden Syndrome
For geneticists who are involved in the diagnosis and care of adult patients with Cowden syndrome.

Assessment for and Management of Lynch Syndrome
For geneticists who are involved in the diagnosis, counseling and management of patients with Lynch syndrome. This module is geared towards the initial evaluation and management of patients with Lynch syndrome, not for the evaluation of whether Lynch syndrome is in the differential.

Counseling for Inherited Cancer Risk
For geneticists who were involved in the assessment and counseling of general inherited cancer risk.