Summary of NCCPA Board Actions and Issues
The NCCPA Board of Directors met on May 1, 2005. The following summary describes the actions taken and issues addressed at that meeting.
Presentations from the American Board of Internal Medicine and the National Board of Medical Examiners
Taking advantage of the hosting the meeting in Philadelphia, the NCCPA Board of Directors invited representatives from the ABIM and the NBME to provide various presentations to the Board and committee throughout the weekend. The ABIM provided information on the Maintenance of Certification program implemented by that organization. The National Board of Medical Examiners presented information on exam development, administration, and scoring, and innovations in assessment modalities. The NBME also provided specific recommendations for continued enhancements and improvements to development and implementation of NCCPA’s examination programs.
Approval of the 2004 Audit Report
The 2004 audit report was presented to the Board by Jack McGinnis, Director of General Practice and Nonprofit Services of Brooks, McGinnis, & Co. The audit report indicated that NCCPA’s financial statements accurately reflect the financial position of NCCPA and that the changes in net assets and cash flows for the year conform with generally accepted U.S. accounting principles. Mr. McGinnis presented observations from the audit and congratulated NCCPA’s financial and organizational management and related systems for being among the very best of the firms his company serves. The NCCPA Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2004 audit report.
Endorsement of the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession
Throughout last year NCCPA, in collaboration with representatives from AAPA, APAP, and ARC-C, developed a document to describe the competencies for the physician assistant profession. All of the contributing organizations have been asked to endorse the document so that further discussions regarding possible assessment of the competencies and the appropriate group to conduct those assessments may occur. The NCCPA Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession.
Approval of the Development of Self Assessment Exams
At its February 2005 meeting, the Board discussed the possibility of developing practice exams for physician assistants and requested that additional information and specific issues relating to this potential new product be presented at the May meeting. A basic plan outlining the development and administration of the exams was presented to the Board. The self assessment exams will be created by the NBME using retired PANCE and PANRE items and will be offered online. PAs will receive feedback on their performance on the exam. It was specifically noted that the Association of Physician Assistant Programs does not have a concern over the impact that an NCCPA self assessment exam would have on their practice exam (PAKRAT). The Board unanimously approved the development of self assessment examinations for individuals preparing for PANCE and PANRE. Many positive factors contributed to this decision. Self assessment exams are congruent with NCCPA’s goals, are financially viable, and highly desired among PAs. The self assessment exams may also help reduce the impetus to wrongfully obtain/disclose test questions.
Miscellaneous Actions
The NCCPA Board of Directors considered three additional reports and unanimously approved the following actions relating to those issues:
- Approved the minutes from the February 2005 Board meeting.
- Approved the 2005 balanced scorecard evaluation tool for the President.
- Accepted minutes provided in the consent agenda for filing.
Next Meeting
The Board and its committees will convene in Bar Harbor, Maine on August 11-13.
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