Certificate of Added Qualification in Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

Field: Health Professions (Health Sciences)

The American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP) is committed to enhancing the practice of bronchoscopy to improve the lives of patients with pulmonary disease. Recent advances in diagnostic bronchoscopy have changed the landscape of how many pulmonary diseases are evaluated and managed. The spectrum of new technologies and tools at the disposal of the bronchoscopist has grown rapidly in the past 2 decades. While many pulmonologists receive exposure to advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy techniques during traditional pulmonary fellowship training, most require additional experience to master these advanced procedures. Pulmonologists with skills in advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy provide specific expertise and added value to complex patient care. Currently, it may be challenging for patients, institutional administrators, and third-party payers to identify these physicians. A core mission of the AABIP is to educate, train, certify, and advocate for all bronchoscopists. To this end, we have committed our resources to provide educational material via our Web site, seminars, newsletters, webinars, annual postgraduate courses, research symposia, and now a yearly AABIP Conference to provide members with up-to-date information, clinically relevant guidelines, and helpful expert opinions to enhance patient care. We are confident that these educational opportunities can support a clear pathway for physicians interested in advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy to develop their skills and expertise. To assist in recognition of competency for advanced diagnostic bronchoscopists, the AABIP Board of Directors (BOD) approved the creation of a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in 2019. We believe that this CAQ is a means by which these skilled pulmonologists can demonstrate legitimacy and recognition of expertise to their institutions and colleagues. We anticipate that such certification may also facilitate contract negotiations to secure the resources required to set up a successful advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy program. The CAQ in Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy will consist of 2 parts: a Knowledge Assessment Test (KAT) and a Procedural Skills Assessment Test (PAT). Convenient test sites around the country will be available to conduct a computer-based KAT every year. The test will consist of clinical vignettes and a multiple-choice question-based format similar to other board certification examinations. To validate procedural competency, the PAT will be used. The PAT will be offered at the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) headquarters in Illinois twice every year. The AABIP offers a comprehensive review course for people planning to take this test every year in summer. I strongly encourage you to attend this course and visit the AABIP Web site (https://aabronchology.org) for more educational material to prepare yourselves for this test. The AABIP has already seen a massive wave of support for CAQ in advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy from advanced diagnostic bronchoscopists and IP physicians around the country. We are looking forward to working with you in advancing the practice of bronchoscopy in the United States. We are happy to announce the CAQ testing dates for 2020-2021. The KAT will be offered over a period of December 1 through December 4, 2020. Please submit your application and the supporting documents to the AABIP CAQ eligibility committee via the AABIP Web site at https://aabronchology.org/2020caq no later than September 15, 2020. The PAT will be using validated tools for assessing proficiency in endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration and peripheral bronchoscopy (radial endobronchial ultrasound, Medtronic, and Veran navigation platforms). The assessment will take place at CHEST’s headquarters in Chicago, IL on the following dates: Saturday, September 26, 2020 Saturday, February 20, 2021 Saturday, September 25, 2021 Register for the test on the AABIP Web site by clicking HERE (https://aabronchology.org/2020caq). Ali I. Musani, MDChair, Certification Committee, AABIP