Electrodiagnostic Self-Assessment Examination

The Electrodiagnostic Self-Assessment Examination (EDXSAE) is a useful study guide for physicians in the practice of electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine or as a teaching tool in a residency program. The proctored examination is given yearly at institutions throughout the country. The 2010 proctored EDXSAE dates are May 6, 7,or 8. Links to applications are below.

Electrodiagnostic Self-Assessment Examination Information

Sponsor | Location Candidates | Training Program Liaisons
Results | Exam Content

Sponsor

The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), founded in 1953, is an association of approximately 5000 physicians whose goal is to increase the quality of patient care, specifically for patients with disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems, the neuromuscular junction, and skeletal muscle by contributing to improvement in methods of electrodiagnostic medicine through programs in education, research, and quality assurance.

The association publishes educational material and CDs/DVDs, as well as practice guidelines and educational guidelines for electrodiagnostic training programs.

The AANEM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to offer credits for its educational activities including programs, courses, seminars, and workshops held in conjunction with the AANEM Annual Meeting. The AANEM designates this educational activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM for completing both the Examination and Review Sessions. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) has reviewed the AANEM EDXSAE and has approved this program as an option for the ABPMR Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. ABPMR diplomates who complete the AANEM EDXSAE will receive credit for one self-assessment.

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has reviewed the AANEM Electrodiagnostic Self-Assessment Examination and has approved this product as part of a self-assessment program, mandated by the American Board of Medical Specialties as a necessary component of maintenance of certification.

The AANEM EDXSAE Committee is charged with preparing an annual self-assessment examination and review session in electrodiagnostic medicine as an educational tool for use by training programs for their residents and fellows and for individual practitioners. Those participating are urged to forward recommendations to assist in future planning.

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Location/Candidates

Cooperating institutions will proctor the AANEM EDXSAE and offer a review session for their own residents and fellows and for other interested physicians who live in the area. In the past, most major centers have participated, so it is usually possible to accommodate the majority of candidates at a nearby site. Institutions should complete the Sponsoring Institution Application on behalf of their program and the test participants for which they are providing application fees. Individual practitioners who wish to take the test at a proctored site should return the Independent Candidate at a Proctored Site Application. Physicians for whom there is no convenient location or who prefer to take the test on their own after the national results are compiled may order the test and review materials using the Self-Examination Application. These candidates will be sent the test (including the review session), answers, and national results against which they can compare their own results. Tests from previous years can also be ordered at any time online or by contacting the AANEM Office at (507) 288-0100.

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Training Program Liaisons

Training Program Liaisons will be appointed from each cooperating institution. The responsibilities of Training Program Liaisons are to:

1. Keep their Department Chairs informed about the AANEM EDXSAE, its schedule, content, and cost.

2. Arrange for proctoring of the AANEM EDXSAE when administered. Liaisons may proctor, as well as purchase and take the EDXSAE; however, their scores will be included in a separate practicing physicians category.

3. Hold a review session led by a competent electrodiagnostic medicine consultant, preferably an ABEM Diplomate.

4. When possible, submit suggested multiple-choice questions and pertinent videotape waveforms for inclusion in the examination question bank.

5. Act as contacts for AANEM surveys of teaching practices, research activities, and relevant issues.

6. Encourage active participation in the AANEM and its annual meeting by all interested house staff, fellows, and faculty members in their departments.

7. Act as resource persons for communicating AANEM information to members of their departments.

Recognition for Training Program Liaisons will be provided through:

1. Formal written appointments which can be cited on curriculum vitae.

2. Letters sent to Department Chairs confirming the appointments.

3. Inclusion on a list of Training Program Liaisons published annually in the EDXSAE test booklet.

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Results

Results will be reported based upon the level of training completed (0-3 months of training, 4-6 months of training, 7 or more months of training, and practicing physician beyond initial training). Results will also include a breakdown into the various subtopic content areas and will be mailed to institutions sponsoring candidates and to individuals as requested. Results of independent candidates who take the EDXSAE will be sent to them directly and will not be sent to the sponsoring institution or liaison.

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For additional information, call the AANEM Education Department at (507) 288-0100

or email Ruth Michel at rmichel@aanem.org