TAGME Medical Education 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The ACGME's 'Next Accreditation System' (NAS) shifted the accreditation model primarily toward which approach?
- Process-based inputs such as faculty-to-resident ratios
- Outcomes-based assessment using Milestones and annual data reporting (Correct answer)
- Site visits every two years for all programs
- Standardized national board scores as the sole metric
Correct answer: Outcomes-based assessment using Milestones and annual data reporting
NAS moved accreditation away from process and structure inputs toward outcomes-based assessment, relying on Milestones, annual program reviews, and Clinical Competency Committees.
Question 2: Which body is responsible for certifying physicians in their specialty after residency training is complete?
- ACGME
- ABMS member boards (Correct answer)
- AAMC
- GMEC
Correct answer: ABMS member boards
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and its 24 member boards are responsible for physician board certification in their respective specialties.
Question 3: What is the role of the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) at a sponsoring institution?
- To set national duty hour standards
- To oversee and coordinate all GME programs at the institution (Correct answer)
- To conduct ACGME site visits
- To manage resident salaries and benefits
Correct answer: To oversee and coordinate all GME programs at the institution
The GMEC is a required institutional committee that oversees all residency and fellowship programs, ensures compliance with ACGME requirements, and monitors program quality.
Question 4: A new program director wants to add a new fellowship at their institution. Which initial step is required?
- Submitting a Letter of Intent to the relevant ACGME Review Committee (Correct answer)
- Informally notifying the ACGME of intent
- Hiring a program coordinator before applying
- Obtaining ABMS approval first
Correct answer: Submitting a Letter of Intent to the relevant ACGME Review Committee
Before applying for initial accreditation, programs typically must submit a Letter of Intent to the relevant ACGME Residency Review Committee as the first formal step.
Question 5: Which of the following is a responsibility of the Clinical Competency Committee (CCC)?
- Determining resident compensation
- Reviewing resident performance data and making Milestone assessments (Correct answer)
- Conducting accreditation site visits
- Approving program curriculum changes
Correct answer: Reviewing resident performance data and making Milestone assessments
The CCC reviews and aggregates resident performance data from multiple evaluators and assigns Milestone ratings at least semi-annually.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'moonlighting' in GME?
- Unauthorized patient care activities outside the training program
- Licensed clinical work outside program-required duties, which must be counted in duty hours (Correct answer)
- Overnight call shifts assigned by the program
- Research activities performed after hours
Correct answer: Licensed clinical work outside program-required duties, which must be counted in duty hours
Moonlighting refers to licensed clinical work performed outside required duties; all moonlighting hours must be counted toward the 80-hour weekly duty hour limit.
Question 7: What does 'educational effectiveness' mean in the context of program evaluation under ACGME standards?
- The ratio of didactic lectures to clinical hours
- The degree to which a program achieves its stated educational goals and produces competent physicians (Correct answer)
- The pass rate of residents on USMLE Step 3
- The number of publications produced by program faculty
Correct answer: The degree to which a program achieves its stated educational goals and produces competent physicians
Educational effectiveness refers to how well a program achieves its educational mission and produces physicians who are competent across all core competencies.
TAGME Medical Education 3
The ACGME's 'Next Accreditation System' (NAS) shifted the accreditation model primarily toward which approach?