TO GOAL FAQs
How does the program work?
TO GOAL optimizes the American Board of Family Medicine’s (ABFM) recertification process by implementing a group process with individualized practice support while allowing for self-identification of opportunities for systems improvement and patient adherence. The program achieves its objectives by utilizing expert physician and clinical faculty to guide physician participants in identifying best practices in care; developing achievable plans for integrating these practices into clinical care; and providing tools and technical assistance to sustain improvement in busy practice settings.
The TO GOAL program has two components:
I. Self-Assessment Module (SAM): Part II of ABFM’s Certification for Family Physicians. This is a required disease-oriented self-assessment test. It has 60 questions and one clinical simulation. Many physicians have needed 4-16 hours to complete this on their own and navigate the website effectively. Our process brings all participants through the SAM in 4 hours, with additional DM updates and additional CME credit. This program carries 7 hours of CME credit + 15 credits for successful completion of the exam.
II. Practice Enhancement: Part IV of ABFM’s Certification for Family Physicians. The current process is individual chart review, individual development of a QI project and implementation of this project on your own. There are online tutorials, but implementing these is entirely up to you. The TO GOAL program allows physicians to complete the Part IV program with other physicians, and have nationally known faculty in both cardiovascular disease and quality improvement help them and their practice staff achieve success that they can maintain.
Why do I have to do this?
The TO GOAL program is not mandatory; however, the recertification process is mandatory. It is the way the American Board of Family Medicine has chosen to determine continued certification as a family physician. Other specialties such as internal medicine and pediatrics have to complete a similar process. The TO GOAL program is a greatly improved and streamlined approach to the recertification process that will make life much easier. If anyone wants to do this (abstract charts, self assess their practice system, implement a quality improvement process and do all the analysis) all by themselves, they are free to do so.
What does this program involve?
It involves a four-part process that makes the required elements of recertification easier.
- A group SAM in CV disease
- Group completion of the AAFP’s METRIC program in CV disease (which qualifies as completing the Part IV)
- Participation of practice representatives in the AAFP’s Practice Enhancement Forum (PEF). These teams are comprised of (1) a family physician, (2) a medical assistant, nurse or physician assistant; and (3) a front office staff person from each office
- Monthly conference calls with the TO GOAL faculty and the participating practices. While these calls are not a required component of the TO GOAL program, the information presented will have provide essential information for implementing your practice’s quality improvement plan. During these calls you will have the opportunity to address any questions you have, and any member of your practice staff is welcome to participate.
This is not more work – it is the same work done far more efficiently and effectively.
What are the other benefits?
- TO GOAL not only qualifies for recertification, but also prepares you for performance measurement so you can take charge of P4P on your terms.
- TO GOAL also helps busy practicing physicians know exactly how their office system and/or electronic health record can help them improve practice and report on their results.
- TO GOAL presents opportunities for the participating physicians to collaborate on innovative system changes, thereby increasing the likelihood of system adoption and implementation.
- The techniques used in this project have helped hundreds of physicians nationally, and can be used in a variety of chronic illnesses. Thus, what is learned in this CV-oriented project can be used in many other areas of clinical care such as asthma and diabetes.
For more information contact:
Beth Bortz
Executive Director
(804) 377-1049
Ashley Cunningham
Director of Programs
(804) 377-1047