Return to Board Eligibility Pathway - Family Medicine

KSTAR/ABFM Return to Board Eligibility Pathway Pilot Program

Texas A&M KSTAR Program

The Texas A&M KSTAR (Knowledge-Skills-Training-Assessment-Research) Program is a national assessment center for evaluating and training post-licensure physicians.KSTAR has developed significant experience and a number resources and educational activities, all of which can be used to satisfy the requirements of the ABFM Return to Board Eligibility Pathway Pilot Program.

Baseline Clinical Performance Needs Assessment

To create a learning plan, KSTAR performs a 2-day comprehensive evaluation at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, and includes taking the ABFM in-training exam, multiple standardized patient (SP) Encounters, cognitive screening, Redacted Peer Review Chart Presentations, ECG and rhythm recognition test, a Pharmacotherapeutics Course pre-test.The information derived from testing is used to build a highly individualized education plan.

Individualized Education Plan

6 months, done virtually with intermittent check-ins. Includes ABFM Knowledge Self-Assessment and Lifelong Learning Activities, participation in Family Medicine Peer Review Meetings (by teleconference includes CME), Pharmacotherapeutics Course and post-test, Review and feedback on ECG and rhythm recognition, Webinar: Strategies for preparing of high-stakes exams, Communications readings and review of SP films done during assessment, cybersecurity training, supervised clinical practice, weekly chart review sessions, minimum 150 CME Hours and 336 Clinical hours.

Final Report from KSTAR

When all set goals are achieved, a final report will be generated by KSTAR to certify that accomplishment in support of returning to board eligibility.

Cost

The cost for this 6-month KSTAR program is $13,000. This does not include the $300 ABFM fee for the in-training exam and the required ABFM Knowledge Self-Assessment and Lifelong Learning Activities. Physicians are also responsible for identifying a local supervising physician/preceptor and paying any fees (if any) you agree on with that physician.That physician will need to be vetted and approved by KSTAR.If more than 6 months is needed to complete training and attain goals, additional fees will apply.

Additional No-Cost Opportunities ABFM Trainees at KSTAR

• Continued participation in Case-Based CME Peer Family Medicine Review Program
• 3% Discount on liability premiums for those insured with Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT)*

*Requires participation in three Family Medicine Peer Review Meeting within one year

Completion of this program does not guarantee the participant will become Board Certified.

For more information, please contact our office at 979-436-0407 or tladams@tamu.edu.