ABFAS Fellowship and Training Programs 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization officially accredits ABFAS-recognized fellowship programs in foot and ankle surgery?
- American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) (Correct answer)
- American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS)
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Correct answer: Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME)
CPME is the accrediting body that oversees and approves fellowship programs recognized by ABFAS.
Question 2: A fellowship candidate applying for ABFAS board certification must have completed a residency program approved by which entity?
- ABFAS directly
- CPME (Correct answer)
- State podiatric medical board
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)
Correct answer: CPME
ABFAS requires completion of a CPME-approved residency as a prerequisite for board certification eligibility.
Question 3: Which ABFAS certification track is most directly advanced by completing a reconstructive rearfoot/ankle fellowship?
- FACFAS (Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- ABFAS Part I written examination only
- RRA (Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle) board certification (Correct answer)
- PMPS (Primary Podiatric Medicine and Surgery) certification
Correct answer: RRA (Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle) board certification
The RRA certification specifically covers reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery, the domain emphasized in fellowship training.
Question 4: What is the typical duration of an ABFAS-recognized surgical fellowship?
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 12 months (Correct answer)
- 24 months
Correct answer: 12 months
ABFAS-recognized fellowships are generally one year (12 months) in length following residency completion.
Question 5: During fellowship, which case log requirement is most critical for demonstrating competency toward ABFAS board certification?
- Total number of office visits performed
- Minimum surgical case volume in the designated subspecialty (Correct answer)
- Number of research publications submitted
- Continuing medical education (CME) hours completed
Correct answer: Minimum surgical case volume in the designated subspecialty
ABFAS emphasizes minimum surgical case volumes in the relevant subspecialty as evidence of operative competency during fellowship.
Question 6: A fellow who completes training at a CPME-approved fellowship program but has not yet passed Part I of the ABFAS examination is considered to be in which status?
- Board certified
- Board eligible (Correct answer)
- Candidate status
- Diplomate
Correct answer: Board eligible
Candidates who have met training requirements but have not yet passed all required examinations are considered board eligible.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the primary focus of an ABFAS fellowship in contrast to a standard podiatric surgical residency?
- Broader exposure to general podiatric medicine
- Advanced subspecialty surgical skill development in a focused anatomical area (Correct answer)
- Administrative and practice management training
- Pediatric foot and ankle pathology management
Correct answer: Advanced subspecialty surgical skill development in a focused anatomical area
Fellowships provide advanced, concentrated training in a surgical subspecialty beyond the general exposure offered during residency.
ABFAS Fellowship and Training Programs 2
Which organization officially accredits ABFAS-recognized fellowship programs in foot and ankle surgery?