Training Program Self-Assessment Examination

The Training Program Self-Assessment Examination (TPSAE) is a useful study guide for physicians in the practice of electrodiagnostic medicine or as a teaching tool in a residency program. The examination is also available as a self-assessment exercise for individual practitioners.  The next examination is being held on Friday, May 9, 2008.  Use the links below to download  your forms and fax or mail to the AANEM prior to the application deadline:

TPSAE FORMS & DOWNLOADS

Looking for great study aids to prepare for the examination? 

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 videotapes/CDs, 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 programs, courses, seminars, and workshops held in conjunction with the AANEM Annual Meeting. The AANEM designates the Training Program Self-Assessment Examination (TPSAE) Review Session for up to 2 hours in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

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

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has reviewed the AANEM Training Program 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 Training Program 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 TPSAE 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 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 TPSAE, its schedule, content, and cost.

2. Arrange for proctoring of the AANEM TPSAE when administered. Liaisons may proctor, as well as purchase and take the TPSAE; 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 TPSAE test booklet.

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Fees

The cost of the AANEM TPSAE is $90 per candidate, including the review session, and $50 for each CD ordered. In addition, cooperating institutions will assume costs of the local administration. Such costs include proctoring the examination, holding the review session, and arranging for CD capabilities. A $50 late fee per candidate will be assessed after the March 17, 2008 deadline. A $100 late fee is assessed per candidate after April 18, 2008.  Early orders submitted after May 9, 2008 will be $150 for members and $225 for nonmembers. Cancellations after April 4, 2008 are non-refundable.

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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 TPSAE 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 Stacie Stucky, AANEM Education Director.