Attention ABEM Diplomates: LLSA now comes with (additional cost) CME!

This may be old news but I found out about it today, in an email from AAEM:

ABEM 2011 LLSA CME ACTIVITY APPROVED FOR “AMA PRA CATEGORY 1 CREDIT™”

The “new” ABEM 2011 LLSA CME Activity is now available to Diplomates preparing to take the 2011 Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA) test. LLSA tests are one component necessary for maintaining certification with the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Upon completion of the CME Activity and a passing score of 85, Diplomates will be able to earn “AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.”

Here’s the complete ABEM press release as a .pdf file.

How much CME? 15 hours (.pdf file). It’s way better than nothing, which was what we got before, and the cost of this CME is an additional $30, so it’s very reasonably assessed.

The ABEM site is full of warnings that you MUST register for the CME FIRST in order to get it; start the LLSA, then remember you wanted the CME? Too bad.

Here’s a screenshot of my ABEM page, and I’ve highlighted the new CME box:

I added the highlights, but it’s not hiding, so as long as you know to do it in advance you’re better off than before.

Two more things: First, I’ve been pretty hard on ABEM for requiring these yearly tests with nothing but a self-printable certificate and the opportunity to take more tests, so this is a welcome change. It’s several years too late, but at least it’s here now, so a half-a-kudo to ABEM for getting this belatedly right.

Second, I haven’t said anything (I don’t think) but my favorite LLSA study course is the one given by Drs. Abrahamian and Lovato from UCLA-Olive view, called MEGA-LLSA. It’s well organized, entertaining, and they have it all figured out. I have done my last 4 or 5 years’ tests with them, and provided they have their March course in Disneyland again in 2012 I’ll be there for that one. I recommend it. (A caveat: their communication between paying for the course and the starting place/date/time is poor to non-existent; plan on having to scout out here in the hotel the course is yourself, and showing up early to ask when your class starts…).