CLINICAL COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT RESOURCES

Overview
The Post-Licensure Assessment System provides diverse, state-of-the art assessment modalities that, when administered together, generate comprehensive and pertinent data regarding a physician's medical knowledge, clinical judgment and patient management skills in his or her current or intended area of practice. These tools are utilized by physician evaluation and remediation programs around the country to complement other performance-based methods of assessment, such as medical record reviews, peer (preceptor) assessment and feedback, patient evaluations and case-based evaluations of physician care.

The PLAS currently has collaborative relationships to provide assessment tools to the following programs:

• Albany Medical College in New York
• Center for Personalized Education for Physicians (CPEP)
• Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program (PACE) at the University of California, San Diego
• PMSCO Healthcare Consulting
• Texas A&M University
• University of Florida

Address and contact information for these programs is provided under the Assessment Collaborators link above.

The assessment provided by these programs evaluates the referred physician's medical knowledge, clinical judgment, and patient management skills through a combination of standardized and personalized assessment tools. The assessment does not provide evaluation or observation of technical, surgical, or procedural skills.

Assessment is not appropriate for physicians with current alcohol or drug impairment; unmanaged mental health impairment; obvious, severe cognitive impairment; and/or severe personality/behavior issues ("disruptive physician").

Physicians can participate in an assessment in one of two ways:

• Self-referred: Physicians who are interested in self-assessment of their clinical knowledge and skills.
• Third-Party Referral: Participants referred by a state medical or osteopathic board or territorial licensing authority, physician practice, hospital or other healthcare entity.

Benefits of Physician Assessment
Responding to quality of care concerns, the assessment can assist medical organizations and physicians with questions about:

• Appropriateness of decision-making needed for adequate patient management
• Timing of response to pertinent patient presentations and clinical data
• Depth and breadth of clinical knowledge necessary to address patient needs
• Ability to respond to and make appropriate decisions in stressful situations
• Consistency of care provided
• Other issues related to patient care management

State boards and medical organizations may also consider a referral for assessment in the following situations:

• Evaluation of the clinical competence of a physician who has been out of practice for an extended period
• Identification of educational activities needed to enhance physician practice patterns or assist in career transitions
• Review of the clinical capabilities of a physician with personal health concerns including recovery from disabling illness or injury, neurocognitive concerns, substance abuse, or other issues that may impact practice.

Contact Information
To contact an assessment program, refer to the list of Assessment Collaborators.

To contact the PLAS, refer to the contact information below. Please include your name, phone number, and e-mail or mailing address on all correspondence.

Post-Licensure Assessment System (PLAS)
Federation of State Medical Board
400 Fuller Wiser Road, Suite 300
Euless, TX 76039

Email: plas@fsmb.org

Phone: (817) 868-4022

Fax: (817) 868-4098

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Central Time)