Resolution on Competency-Based Assessment Strategy

In 2023, the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) initiated an exploration of Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) as a component of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) within pathology training. This initiative aims to enhance the evaluation of pathology residents’ skills, abilities, and judgment, aligning more closely with the demands of the field. Additionally, this effort presents an opportunity to reconsider and potentially refine the duration, structure, and content of both primary and subspecialty certification examinations in the coming years.

During this planning phase, ABPath has actively engaged with Cooperating Societies to gather input, reviewed CBA methodologies employed by other American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) boards, and participated in ABMS-ACGME CBME conferences and interest group discussions. These collaborative efforts have provided a wealth of information and guidance.

Following these valuable discussions, ABPath has outlined the next steps for re-evaluating certification examinations and investigating in-training CBA methods leading to the adoption of the following resolution:

Resolution on Competency-Based Assessment Strategy for the American Board of Pathology

WHEREAS, the assessment of skills, ability, and judgment relevant to pathology is implicit in the mission of the American Board of Pathology, in addition to the assessment of knowledge, AND

WHEREAS, competency-based assessment (CBA) aligns with and supports this mission, and promotes competency-based medical education (CBME), NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED that the American Board of Pathology will re-evaluate the length, format, and content within the primary and subspecialty certification examination(s) AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the American Board of Pathology shall pilot in-training CBA methods as a means to provide formative and summative feedback to trainees and program directors prior to primary certification examination AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the American Board of Pathology will determine the relationship of CBA with certification.

This resolution underscores the Board’s commitment to advancing the pathology profession, ensuring our certification process remains rigorous and reflective of the evolving demands of the medical field.