Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment

ABEM Adjusts LLSA Exam Materials

2011-07-29T00:21:00.000-07:00

The American Board of Emergency Medicine has reassessed the relationship between Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment readings (LLSA) and the Continuous Certification Cognitive Expertise Examination (ConCert), removing the required link between the two.
Diplomates will be tested on relevant emergency medicine concepts, but there will not be a direct relationship between the LLSA readings from the previous 10 years and the questions developed for the continuous certification cognitive expertise LLSA ConCert examination.
The ABEM Board created a strong link between LLSA and the ConCert exam. Of course, only those LLSA readings with important and relevant information would be selected for the ConCert examination, but the relationship between the LLSA Exam and the questions on the ConCert examination would be direct and dependable for diplomats.

The Continuous Certification Examination (ConCert Exam)

2011-04-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

The Continuous Certification Examination ( ConCert Exam ), formerly known as the recertification exam is given to board certified emergency physicians every 10 years in order to maintain their certification. According to ABEM , “the llsa concert exam is focused on assessing the knowledge needed for clinical practice”.
In developing the EMCC program, ABEM created a strong link between the LLSA component and the ConCert exam ( LLSA ConCert Exam ), basing up to 40% of the exam content on prior years’ LLSA readings. ABEM’s intent was to increase the value of EMCC to ABEM diplomates. Some diplomates, however, have expressed concern that they would be responsible for knowing the content of up to 200 specific articles when taking the ConCert exam.
Beginning in 2007, LLSA ConCert exams be developed without a necessary reliance on the identified readings.

All LLSA Articles are Available Free

2011-04-12T22:22:00.000-07:00

All LLSA Articles are Available FreeACEP members now have free access to all 69 articles that are required reading for the American Board of Emergency Medicine's LLSA exams or EMCC LLSA . This exclusive member benefit can be found at ACEP's LLSA Resource Center, www.acep.org/llsa. ACEP and its members have enjoyed a relationship with the New England Journal of Medicine and other journals. With the recent agreement with the JAMA publishers, ACEP can now offer all of the LLSA articles to its members. The online LLSA Review or EM Review course is also available."The American College of Emergency Physicians thanks JAMA and Executive Deputy Editor Phil Fontanarosa, M.D., FACEP, for making JAMA articles accessible to emergency physicians pursuing continuous certification in emer-gency medicine," said Dr. Nick Jouriles, ACEP President. "Continuous certification is designed to provide the best possible patient care, a goal of both ACEP and JAMA," Dr. Jouriles added

Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA) Overview

2010-11-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

The main goal of LLSA is to promote continuous learning by diplomates. ABEM identifies an annual set of LLSA readings and thereby guides diplomates in self-study of recent EM literature. Readings are intended to address issues of relevance to latest clinical practice at the time they are posted. ABEM recognizes that EM is an ever-evolving science and that new knowledge becomes available on a regular basis.

LLSA readings are created as study tools and should be read critically. ABEM does not endorse a particular research finding or treatment modality by virtue of its being the subject of a selected LLSA reading.

Every year of the nine-year LLSA cycle focuses on specific areas of the EM model. At the end of nine years, the cycle repeats itself. Around half of the readings chosen annually relate to the designated content area. The rest relate to the remaining content areas of the EM Model Listing of Conditions and Components.

Preparing for the Inservice Exam or In-Training Exam

2010-09-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

The Inservice exam also commonly known as the In-Training exam , has been developed and administered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine – ABEM . This comprehensive exam is derived from ABEM’s Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine which outlines the scope of the EM specialty. Most EM Residency programs across the country participate in the intraining exam . All resident classes take the same exam which is based on the knowledge and experience that a third year resident should have acquired.

Basic facts about the inservice exam are:

- Approximately 225 questions (200 count towards score and 25 are experimental questions) over 4.25 hours
- Single-best answer multiple-choice questions
- 10-15% of test has pictorial stimulus (separate book with photographs, x-rays, etc, will be provided)
- Usually administered at a location determined by residency program
- Usually on the last Wednesday in February

Online LLSA Prep Course

2010-02-21T22:36:00.000-08:00

As of now you have exactly 40 days to sit for your 2007 LLSA Exam . Are you ready? Did you prepare for the exam like you did last year? If not LLSAPrep would be more than happy to help you get through the 2007 LLSA examination . With their straight-forward and effective online LLSA prep course - passing should not be a problem. Not only that just imagine the amount of time you will save in studying hours. In fact the EMCC LLSA course is so effective that it is advised that you stay on top of your LLSA articles and prepare for the 2010 reading ahead of time, so you are not rushed to studying at the end. Smart planning, great results and stress free.

EMCC

2009-08-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

The Registration Process as described in the Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification section of the ABEM website :

The physicians may register for an LLSA test through EMCC Online any time that the test is available to them.

Registration is a five-step process:

1. Select the LLSA test to take.
2. Update medical license information and affirm that your medical license(s) comply with ABEM’s Policy on Medical Licensure.
3. Pay for the test. The payment step involves entering appropriate credit card information and obtaining immediate approval, or selecting the option of paying off-line. View the Policy on Fees for more information about LLSA test fees.
4. Review billing information to make sure it is correct.

2010 Articles

2009-07-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

2010 LLSA Articles are here. Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment or LLSA is 1 of 4 components of the “maintenance of certification” process established in 1999 by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Every year the LLSAPrep website posts a link to each year's articles - from 2007 LLSA Articles, to 2009 Articles and now 2010 Articles.
The readings are designed as study tools and should be read critically as they are not intended to be all-inclusive and are not meant to define the standard of care for the clinical practice of EM. Twenty new articles will be posted on the ABEM Website annually.

LLSA Exam

2009-05-28T00:05:00.001-07:00

The course for LLSA exam, is based on the 20 articles of the American Board of Emergency Medicine 2006 Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA) program. This course is taken almost entirely on-line. These summaries stress the key points of the article, providing the information crucial to passing the 2006, 2007, 2008 LLSA exam.

2009 llsa articles

2009-05-28T00:04:00.000-07:00

2009 llsa articles are based on the articles of the LLSAPrep 2009 Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA) program. 2009 llsa articles are taken almost entirely on-line. Each of the 2009 LLSA articles has been summarized by llsa faculty member with expertise in that area. These summaries stress the key points of the article, providing the information crucial to passing the LLSA exam.

EMCC

2009-05-28T00:02:00.000-07:00

EMCC facilitates llsa learning by identifying an annual set of LLSA readings to guide diplomats in self-study of recent EM literature. EMCC - Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification must complete the annual Lifelong Learning Self-Assessment (LLSA) test on the EMCC website based upon the contents of these articles.

2009 llsa articles

2009-04-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

LLSA Prep's online 2009 llsa articles are the most thorough, comprehensive, and instructionally valid curriculum for physicians preparing for LLSA. There are 2009 llsa articles, rich with important information about LLSA exam.

EMCC

2009-02-17T00:09:00.000-08:00

EMCC is an ABMS Maintenance of Certification program. It represents a shift from evaluation of Emergency Medicine knowledge every ten years, to annual certification activity and evaluation every ten years. EMCC also represents a shift from paper-and-pencil to Internet- and computer-delivered certification activities. There are four components of the EMCC program. The four components are Professional Standing, LLSA, Assessment of Cognitive Expertise and Assessment of Practice Performance.

LLSA Test

2008-12-04T23:36:00.000-08:00

Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment - LLSA Test is one of the 4 components of the “maintenance of certification” process established in 1999 by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). As it pertains to the American Board of Emergency Medicine, LLSA Test was designed to promote continuous learning by ABEM diplomates.

EMCC

2008-12-04T23:33:00.000-08:00

EMCC - Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification. All diplomates should participate in EMCC, regardless of when their certification expires. LLSA testing requirements vary depending upon the year in which you attempt the ConCert examination to renew your certification. To check your specific LLSA test requirements, sign in on LLSAPrep.com website, and go EMCC Online to reach your EMCC Online Personal Page.

LLSA Articles

2008-12-04T23:31:00.000-08:00

LLSA Articles are based on the articles of the American Board of Emergency Medicine 2005 Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA) program. LLSA Articles are taken almost entirely on-line. Each of the LLSA articles has been summarized by a llsa faculty member with expertise in that area. These summaries stress the key points of the article, providing the information crucial to passing the LLSA exam.

LLSA Preparation

2008-08-12T04:53:00.000-07:00

The recertification process for emergency physicians gets more demanding every year, particularly with all the increased attention to evidence-based medicine, LLSA Preparation. With EBM in mind, the ABEM chooses 20 Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment (LLSA) articles each year for you to LLSA Preparation.By imposing annual testing requirements for these articles, the ABEM hopes to ensure that you are up-to-date on the standard of care for all major clinical categories in your practice environment.

LLSA EMCC

2008-08-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

The primary goal of LLSA EMCC is to promote continuous learning by diplomates. Completing and passing the required number of LLSA tests is also an eligibility requirement for taking the ConCert examination to renew your certification. The readings are designed as study tools and should be read your way. LLSA EMCC is designed to make this process painless by offering a review that is efficient, convenient, fun, affordable and guarantees you will pass!

LLSA Review

2008-08-12T04:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the LLSAprep.com LLSA Review, the only LLSA resource you will ever need. Follow the links to The 2005 LLSA Review or The 2006 LLSA Review to enroll now and begin your review today. The readings are designed as study tools and should be read critically. They are not intended to be all-inclusive and are not meant to define the standard of care for the clinical practice of EM. Twenty new articles will be posted on the ABEM Website annually.

LLSA Exam

2008-08-12T04:07:00.000-07:00

LLSA Exam provides clients with an on site succinct evidence based didactic review of the Life-Long Learning and Self-Assessment articles for each year-cycle which will update your practice on many aspects of evidence-based care.
LLSAPrep will strengthen your EM knowledge and prepare you for the LLSA exam. This elegantly designed peer-reviewed course is intended to review, test immediately!

LLSA Preparation

2008-06-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

LLSA Preparation

2008-05-14T23:57:00.000-07:00

The primary goal of LLSA Preparation is to promote continuous learning by diplomates. ABEM facilitates this learning by identifying an annual set of LLSA Preparation readings to guide diplomates in self-study of recent EM literature. LLSA tests consisting of 32-40 items will be developed based on the annual readings. A new LLSA test will be posted on the ABEM website in April of each year. Each LLSA test will remain online for three years.

Online LLSA Courses

2007-12-09T22:46:00.000-08:00

Challenger Online LLSA Courses is the most thorough, comprehensive, and instructionally valid curriculum for physicians preparing for Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment. ABEM has selected review articles for the Online LLSA Courses to encourage practicing emergency physicians to acquire an evidence-based approach to patient care decision-making. Challenger LLSA, based on a proven evidence-based learning methodology for self-instruction and retained learning, is designed to ensure that physicians achieve competency on the Key Points from these sources.

Online LLSA Courses

2007-12-09T22:44:00.000-08:00

Online LLSA Courses is based on the 20 articles of the American Board of Emergency Medicine 2005 Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA) program. This course is taken almost entirely on-line. The summary of courses stress the key points of the articles, providing the information crucial to passing the 2005 Online LLSA Courses exam.

Concert Exam

2007-12-09T22:38:00.000-08:00

The link between previous LLSA readings and the Concert exam no longer exists. Concert exam are focused on assessing knowledge needed for clinical practice. Although LLSA questions will no longer appear on the Concert examination, similar concepts may still be represented, as they become the standards for practice in EM. The questions of detailed information found on the LLSA tests, however, will not be found on the Concert examinations.

Concert Exam

2007-12-09T22:36:00.000-08:00

In developing the EMCC program, ABEM created a strong link between the LLSA component and the Concert exam, basing up to 40% of the exam content on prior years’ LLSA readings. ABEM’s intent was to increase the value of EMCC to ABEM diplomats. Some diplomats, however, have expressed concern that they would be responsible for knowing the content of up to 200 specific articles when taking the Concert exam.

LLSA Preparation

2007-12-09T22:33:00.001-08:00

LLSA Preparation is one of the four components of the American Board of Medical Specialties. LLSA Preparation provides clients with an on site succinct evidence based didactic review of the Life-Long Learning and Self-Assessment. LLSA articles for each year-cycle which will update your practice on many aspects of evidence-based care.

LLSA Preparation

2007-12-09T22:30:00.000-08:00

LLSA Preparation is one of the 4 components of the “maintenance of certification” process established in 1999 by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). As it pertains to the American Board of Emergency Medicine ABEM, LLSA Preparation was designed to promote continuous learning by ABEM diplomats.

ABEM

2007-09-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

Unlike standard continuing medical education programs, there are special requirements for emergency medicine. The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) has instituted its Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification (EMCC). A list of 16 to 20 readings based on the EM Model will be posted on the ABEM each year. The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) was established LLSA in 1988 as an independent, non-profit organization to LLSA certify the competency of physicians who practice the discipline of Emergency Medicine.

LLSA

2007-09-20T00:36:00.000-07:00

The primary goal of LLSA is to promote continuous learning by diplomates. ABEM facilitates this learning by identifying an annual set of LLSA readings to guide diplomates in self-study of recent EM literature. LLSA tests consisting of 32-40 items will be developed based on the annual readings. A new LLSA test will be posted on the ABEM website in April of each year. Each LLSA test will remain online for three years. LLSA Study Guides - Pre-order your 2007 LLSA Study Guide and save $50 off the regular price of the Study guide. Save time and money preparing for the LLSA review exams.

ABEM and LLSA – What is the relationship?

2007-07-28T02:10:00.000-07:00

The main goal of LLSA is to promote continuous learning by diplomates. ABEM facilitates this learning by identifying an annual set of LLSA readings to guide diplomates in self-study of recent EMCC LLSA literature. The readings are designed as study tools and should be read critically. They are not intended to be all-inclusive and are not meant to define the standard of care for the clinical practice of EM.
One criterion for choosing articles is that they be easily available from a variety of sources, such as common Emergency Medicine texts, libraries, and Internet websites. In addition, some publishers allow access to the articles directly from the ABEM LLSA website, EMCC ABEM Online, or both by clicking on the underlined listings below:
· The Massachusetts Medical Society has provided full access to most readings selected for LLSA from the New England Journal of Medicine
· Elsevier, Inc. has provided Adobe Acrobat files to ABEM diplomates logged onto EMCC Online for readings selected for LLSA
· Some publishers provide direct access to their website, possibly charging a fee or requiring login information to view the article
· Occasionally, as is the case for many book chapters, the publisher will not provide direct access or does not have Internet access to the article

Concert Examination

2007-07-28T01:59:00.000-07:00

Let’s try to understand the ConCert examination process for Emergency Medicine. In order to take a particular year’s ConCert exam, you must complete a specific number of LLSA test equivalents. An LLSA test equivalent is defined as an LLSA test that the physician takes and passes, or a ConCert exam that the physician takes instead of an LLSA test but does not pass.

You may check the eligibility requirements and status through EMCC Online.

LLSAprep

2007-05-09T00:18:00.000-07:00

The LLSA assessment of cognitive expertise is to be tested by the ConCert exam. This exam will take place every ten years, following your original board certification date. In essence this takes the place of the current recertification written boards.The self-assessment portion of the LLSA consists of a yearly 40-question test based on the lifelong learning articles. These questions are accessed from your home computer, at your leisure.

LLSA

2007-02-18T22:47:00.000-08:00

A new LLSA test is posted each year, and ABEM anticipates that diplomates will choose to complete approximately one per year, a currently certified physician may choose to complete one each year, or may complete two or even three LLSA tests in a year and then not complete an LLSA test in other years.

About EMCC

2006-08-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

One of the requirements of the multi-component Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification (EMCC) program of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) is that ABEM-certified physicians read and be tested on the contents of 20 designated emergency medicine-related articles each year. This component of the EMCC is entitled “Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment.” Each year the titles of the 20 ABEM-designated articles are released and in the Spring of the following year a 40-question, Internet-based exam pertaining to the selected articles is available on the ABEM website.

LLSA and ConCert

2006-08-24T05:29:00.000-07:00

LLSA tests are designed to promote learning, while the ConCert examination is designed to test working knowledge of EM clinical practice. The LLSA tests will feel very different from the ConCert examinations, which continue to feel like the recertification examinations that ABEM gave in the past. The Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment test is an online, on-demand, self-assessment test. The LLSA tests are detailed and focused to encourage learning and careful consideration of the material in the readings. The LLSA tests will tend to question more specific information than will be found on the ConCert examination. LLSA tests are learning-focused; ConCert examinations are focused on assessing knowledge needed for clinical practice. As the concepts represented in the LLSA readings become the standards for practice in Emergency Medicine, those concepts will be tested on the ConCert examination.

Self Assessment

2006-08-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

The self-assessment portion of the LLSA consists of a yearly 40-question test based on the lifelong learning articles. These questions are accessed from your home computer, at your leisure. You will have three chances to pass each yearly self-assessment exam. The assessment of cognitive expertise is to be tested by the ConCert exam. This exam will take place every ten years, following your original board certification date. In essence this takes the place of the current recertification written boards. However, the ConCert will incorporate both traditional EM core knowledge topics and questions from the Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment yearly tests. Unlike the LLSA yearly tests, you will not be able to take the ConCert at home, rather you will have to sign up for a half-day at a local computer testing center.

About LLSA

2006-08-15T23:45:00.000-07:00

One of the requirements of the multi-component Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification (EMCC) program of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) is that ABEM-certified physicians read and be tested on the contents of 20 designated emergency medicine-related articles each year. This component of the EMCC is entitled “Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment.”
Each year the titles of the 20 ABEM-designated articles are released. Internet-based exam pertaining to the selected articles is available on the ABEM website.
To be eligible to take the 10-year ABEM recertification exam (now called the Continuous Certification exam) the passage of a variable number of LLSA exams is required

What is EMCC ?

2006-08-09T01:21:00.000-07:00

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) has instituted its Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification (EMCC). There are special requirements for emergency medicine. The CME -like component of the EMCC is based on the LLSA - Lifelong Learning Self-Assessment. This is a list of 20 articles with multiple-choice questions. The LLSA reading list and LLSA test can be accessed through the ABEM website. Diplomates, and former diplomates attempting to regain certification, participate in the EMCC program. The four components of EMCC are Professional Standing, Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment (LLSA), Assessment of Cognitive Expertise (ConCert), and Assessment of Practice Performance. The ConCert examination is the examination that renews certification for a period of ten years. It is administered annually in Pearson VUE testing centers.

LLSAPrep Committee Support for EMCC Certification

2006-08-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

LLSAPrep provides clients with an on-line or on-site succinct evidence based didactic review of the Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA) articles for each year-cycle which will update your practice on many aspects of evidence-based care. This elegantly designed, peer-reviewed course is designed to: Review, Discuss, and Test immediately! Review questions for ConCert. A workbook with all 20 articles summarized and ConCert review questions pertaining to each article is also available. LLSAPrep Committee reviews journal articles, texts, and practice guidelines relating to LLSA topics of ABEM and makes recommendations for submitting references to ABEM. Topics for this year include traumatic disorders and cutaneous disorders.

ABEM EMCC Program Continues to Evolve ( Part – I )

2006-07-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) announced new changes to the organization's continuous certification program.
Many of the changes were based on feedback from diplomates who will participate in ABEM's Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification (EMCC) program.

ABEM is encouraging the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine and other EM organizations to provide continuing medical education (CME) credits to diplomates who complete the EMCC annual self-assessment exams. Nearly all diplomates surveyed by ABEM indicated that CME credit for the annual self-assessment exams would add value to the EMCC program. However, ABEM is not a CME provider, nor is CME part of ABEM's mission.
The Board broadened the eligibility criteria for EMCC. Virtually any diplomate eligible for recertification under current ABEM rules will also be eligible for continuous certification under EMCC. Under the revised EMCC program, no diplomates will be excluded based on area of practice or specialization.

ABEM EMCC Program Continues to Evolve ( Part – II )

2006-07-26T22:54:00.000-07:00

American Board of Medical Specialties made the commitment to implementing EMCC in 10-year cycles.
ABEM certifies the nation's emergency physicians. It is one of the 24 medical specialty boards that are members of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABMS is requiring its member boards to move from a periodic recertification process to a continuous certification model.
American Board of Medical Specialties believes that continuous certification will better serve the American public and the specialties. All member boards will be required to establish higher and more continuous specialty certification requirements that comply with ABMS standards. The ABMS standards and the ABEM EMCC program promote continuous learning and annual assessment.
Under the EMCC program, diplomates will complete annual self-assessment exams for nine years, followed by the comprehensive ConCert exam in year 10. The annual exams will be offered over the Internet. The 10-year exams will be offered at more than 200 centers across the nation to minimize or eliminate the need for costly over-night travel. Diplomates will also be required to hold valid, unqualified and unrestricted medical licenses on a continuous basis in all jurisdictions where they have a license.