Update 3-13-2020

ABIM Board Eligibility and COVID-19

Dear Program Directors and Program Administrators,

The pandemic of COVID-19 has resulted in some questions from program directors and DIO's related to ABIM initial certification eligibility for Internal Medicine and its subspecialties. At times like these, we hope you will be able to focus your attention and the attention of residents and fellows on the care of patients and of each other; Board Eligibility should not be high on your priority list right now. Specifically, ABIM does not anticipate interruptions of training related to COVID-19 adversely affecting Board Eligibility for the vast majority of otherwise competent residents and fellows.

In particular, ABIM's recently clarified Leave of Absence and Vacation and Deficits in Required Training Time policies are in full effect and applicable to absences that might occur due to COVID-19.

Similarly, should an otherwise healthy trainee need to be quarantined due to exposure to the virus, you may certainly coordinate an individualized learning/study plan for that time. This is a legitimate learning activity, and this time should not be counted against either Leave or Deficits in Required Training Time.

Of course, should a resident or fellow become ill, ABIM fully supports that their medical care be the first priority, and we will work with you to answer any questions related to Board Eligibility should they arise.

ABIM is committed to assisting you and your program through this difficult time. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to ABIM's Academic Affairs department at AcademicAffairs@abim.org, and someone will get back to you about your specific trainee situations.

Thank you for all that you and your trainees are doing to care for patients and each other during these extraordinarily challenging times.

With gratitude and respect,

Furman S McDonald, MD, MPH
Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs
Professor of Medicine