Why are you changing Lifelong Learning?
            The CUC Pilot fulfills new requirements established by the American Board of Medical Specialists for continued certification utilizing a longitudinal formative process. It provides continual assessment of the knowledge, judgement and skills needed to deliver proper urologic care.   One goal is to remove the 10-year “end” date on ABU certificates. Diplolmates would remain certified while participating in CUC.  The ABU developed this pilot taking into consideration comments received from diplomates regarding the elimination of a secure testing center and utilizing contemporary learning activities.

How much will it cost to participate?
            There is no charge to participate in the pilot.  There will be a fee established by the AUA for the CME credit received when reviewing articles in the library.

What if I decide to stop and/or I don’t complete the learning activity in the time allotted?
            You can withdraw from the pilot at any time.  If you do not complete the Knowledge Reinforcement within the 6 weeks or the Knowledge Exposure (8 articles) within 8 months, you will automatically return to your current status within Lifelong Learning.  All prior activities and requirements will be re-instated including return of the 10-year Knowledge Assessment exam at the secure testing center.

Do I need any specific computer hardware or software program to participate?
             No, the computer that you use to access the internet should suffice.  Performance will be influenced by the age of your wifi, computer, and operating system.

What resources can be used to answer the questions?
            The learning activities are “open resource”.  You can use any available resource.  This is an individual activity; you are restricted from discussing or gaining assistance from others.

Who do I contact for help if I have a problem or question?
            Send an email to CUC@abu.org.   A response will be provided within 1 business day.

Why do I need to select a module?
            You will select one of 4 modules that best represents your practice.  The modules help direct the questions you will be exposed to during the Knowledge Reinforcement and Knowledge Assessment.

What modules are available?
            The 4 available modules include:
                        Oncology, Urinary Diversion, and Adrenal
                        Calculus, Lap-Robotics, Upper tract obstruction
                        Impotence, Infertility, Infection, Andrology
                        General Office-based Urology

Can I change modules?
            You may change your module prior to starting your activity for the year.  Once you begin the computer questions you must complete the module selected.  During Knowledge Exposure (article and guideline review) you can review all articles in your chosen module but that is not required.  You may select any article or guideline that you find beneficial.

What is the purpose of Knowledge Reinforcement?
            Reinforces existing information through questions that urologists are expected to know.

What is the purpose of Knowledge Exposure?
            Introduces new information through review of articles and guidelines that will be helpful in order to provide contemporary patient care.

What is the purpose of Knowledge Assessment?
            Identification of knowledge gaps.

What if I don’t pass the Knowledge Assessment exam?
            The knowledge assessment is not pass/fail.  It is utilized to identify individual knowledge gaps.  Based on performance, a diplomate may be assigned 1 to 3 CME activities.  In addition, diplomates assigned 3 CME activities may also be required to provide enhanced peer review, completion of complication/death narratives, and a 6 month practice log.

How long will the pilot continue?
            The pilot will continue for a minimum of 2 years.  The ABU will submit a request to the ABMS for acceptance as the formal program for CUC as soon as the program is found to be successful. Volunteers in the pilot will remain in the pilot as long as it is active.  They will continue at their current level if the program becomes the standard for CUC.

How can I volunteer for the pilot?
            All diplomates in year 7 and 8 of Level 2 will be notified of the pilot.  Acceptance is limited to 500 volunteers during each year of the pilot.  Interest is documented by replying to the pilot notification email  (CUC@abu.org).  The first 500 replies will be accepted.

When will the pilot be open to all diplomates?
            While the pilot is ongoing, 500 diplomates will be entered each year.  If the pilot is accepted by the ABMS as the ABU standard for CUC, all diplomates will be phased-in to CUC based on their year within Lifelong Learning. The phase-in has been constructed so that no diplomate will need to take the 10-year Knowledge Assessment exam in a secure testing center once CUC is established.

When will I be issued a new certificate?
            Once the CUC program is finalized and approved by the ABMS, Diplomates will be issued a new certificate.  While in the transition period between Lifelong Learning and CUC, the Board will only issue new “digital” ten-year certificates to those who complete Lifelong Learning Level 2 or CUC Year 1.   Digital certificates are located in the “Featured Documents” link in the upper right-hand corner of your Diplomate portal dashboard.