Simulation-Based Preparation for the American Board of Emergency Medicine Certifying Exam: A Comprehensive Curriculum for Residents
Correspondence should be addressed to Stephanie Stapleton, MD at snstaple13@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.53814
ABSTRACT:
Audience and type of curriculum: This curriculum is designed for junior and senior emergency medicine (EM) residents who are preparing for the new American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Certifying Exam.
Length of curriculum: This curriculum can be completed over the course of an EM residency program to prepare junior residents for the individual content areas encountered on the new Certifying Exam. Alternatively, it can be implemented during a single session to simulate the actual exam for senior residents.
Introduction: With ABEM transitioning to a new format for its Certifying Exam, there is a critical need for targeted preparatory materials that reflect these changes.
Educational Goals: The goal of this curriculum is to equip residents with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed on the ABEM Certifying Exam. It includes a comprehensive set of case types expected to appear on the Certifying Exam, with a focus on assessing competencies not currently evaluated by the existing written Qualifying Exam and retiring Oral Exam. The curriculum is designed to be delivered to current residents in a single-day exam format to closely replicate the structure and experience of the new Certifying Exam.
Educational Methods: The educational strategy used in this curriculum consists of a set of eight simulation scenarios written in an Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format. Each scenario targets a distinct area of the recently introduced ABEM Certifying Exam. These content areas include clinical decision-making, prioritization, reassessment, difficult conversations, managing conflict, ultrasound, procedural skills, and patient-centered communications. The OSCE structure intentionally reflects that of the ABEM Certifying Exam to enhance realism, ensure consistency, and maintain educational relevance.
Research Methods: This eight-case simulation curriculum focuses on core EM competencies, including decision-making, communication, conflict resolution, prioritization, procedural skills, and ultrasound. Initially developed by experts in simulation and medical education, each case was subsequently refined through a structured peer review process. This process involved written evaluations by external reviewers followed by pilot testing across multiple EM residency programs and at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Annual Meeting. Faculty facilitators and resident learners provided targeted feedback using the Simulation Scenario Evaluation Tool1 and modified usability surveys, assessing factors such as case realism, scenario flow, clarity of learning objectives, alignment of assessment criteria, and practical feasibility for implementation.
Results: Pilot testing across multiple institutions and at a national academic meeting demonstrated the curriculum’s strong educational value, clarity, and usability. Feedback from both facilitators and residents was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the simulation scenarios’ realism, clinical relevance, and effectiveness in exam preparation.
Discussion: This comprehensive simulation-based curriculum, designed to align with the ABEM Certifying Exam, proved to be feasible, effective, and well-received by both learners and facilitators. Key insights from its implementation emphasized the importance of thorough faculty preparation, flexibility in adapting to available resources, and the use of structured debriefing to support learning. Thoughtfully designed simulation experiences can significantly enhance EM resident preparedness for high-stakes assessments.
Topics: Certifying Exam, simulation, board certification, American Board of Emergency Medicine, residency.
