The PLAS has developed diverse, state-of-the-art assessment modalities that, taken together, generate pertinent data regarding a physician's medical knowledge, clinical judgment and patient management skills in his or her current or intended area of practice. An overview of the specific assessment modalities developed by the PLAS is provided below.

These tools are offered to and utilized by collaborators to complement local, performance-based methods of assessment, such as medical record reviews, peer (preceptor) assessment and feedback, patient evaluations and case-based evaluations of physician care.

Standardized Testing

• Primum® Computer-based Case Simulations (CCS) (8 computer-simulation cases; 4 hours) - A computerized patient management test developed by the NBME that utilizes a spectrum of patient cases including emergency situations, acute and chronic illness. The physician decides what treatment to begin while monitoring the patient's response throughout the case. The interactive computer format of CCS permits an assessment of patient management decision-making skills in a realistic and integrated manner. Physicians preparing for assessments that include CCS should run the CCS tutorial and practice with the sample CCS cases available at the USMLE website.
• Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) - An optional assessment consisting of a 1-day, 10-12 station Standardized Patient exercise. It is designed to identify clinical abilities in history-taking, physical examination, documentation and patient communication.

Personalized Testing

• Transaction Stimulated Recall Interview (1 hour) - A structured interview based on a record of the physician-participant's actions in the Primum Computer-based Case Simulations. The physician-participant's performance and management choices are evaluated based on expectations of the particular cases administered.
• Medical School Subject Examinations (100 items each; 2 hours) - Participants complete a subject exam specific to his or her specialty and practice area. These multiple choice question exams (MCQs) are available in the following clinical clerkship designations:
  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • General Surgery
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
• Modular Knowledge Tests - Participants complete a selected group of objective multiple choice question exams (MCQs) specific to his or her specialty and practice. The results are used to identify possible deficiencies regarding knowledge in clinical areas. Practice-specific tests are selected to best evaluate the physician's assessment needs.
  • Mechanisms of Disease (120 items; 2 hours)
  • Interpreting the Medical Literature (40 items; 1 hour)
  • Ethics and Communication (100 items; 2 hours)
  • Pharmacotherapeutics with practice-friendly submodules (60 items in core, 30 items in submodules; 90 minutes total)
  • Women's Health Care (90 items; 90 minutes)