Steve Lebowitz, PA-C

I have been a certified PA since 1979, when I took the PANCE and passed.  Since then, I have taken five recertification exams—two were proctored paper exams and three were take-home exams with extra CME required—and passed all of them. 

I have been in the subspecialty of neonatology my entire career.  I am extremely competent in my specialty, as evidenced by my supervising physicians’ evaluation of my clinical performance.  The primary care take-home exam was very difficult, but with the help of textbooks, articles, the Internet, and consultations with specialists, I was able to pass with high percentiles. 

I always felt that, while difficult, the take-home exam was at least a learning experience, as well as a reflection of the way medicine is presently practiced (digital age, evidence-based medicine).  I do not agree with the argument that the exam did not measure competency.  In fact, I would venture to say that the present proctored exam takes time away from keeping up to date with my specialty while forcing me to learn things that I will never need in clinical practice and will likely forget two weeks after the exam.

The very possibility of not being able to practice in my specialty because I cannot pass a proctored exam that is 75% unrelated to my practice is very scary. I have no problem taking an exam that is directed toward CME in areas of identified weakness and that does not affect my ability to provide for my family and care for my patients.

Steve Lebowitz, PA-C
Escondido, CA

FOR MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
A Vote in Favor of New Model
Recertification: The NPs Have the Right Idea
Should Exams Be More Hands-on?
When Did a Simple Process Become So Complicated?

I have been a certified PA since 1979, when I took the PANCE and passed.  Since then, I have taken five recertification exams—two were proctored paper exams and three were take-home exams with extra CME required—and passed all of them. 

I have been in the subspecialty of neonatology my entire career.  I am extremely competent in my specialty, as evidenced by my supervising physicians’ evaluation of my clinical performance.  The primary care take-home exam was very difficult, but with the help of textbooks, articles, the Internet, and consultations with specialists, I was able to pass with high percentiles. 

I always felt that, while difficult, the take-home exam was at least a learning experience, as well as a reflection of the way medicine is presently practiced (digital age, evidence-based medicine).  I do not agree with the argument that the exam did not measure competency.  In fact, I would venture to say that the present proctored exam takes time away from keeping up to date with my specialty while forcing me to learn things that I will never need in clinical practice and will likely forget two weeks after the exam.

The very possibility of not being able to practice in my specialty because I cannot pass a proctored exam that is 75% unrelated to my practice is very scary. I have no problem taking an exam that is directed toward CME in areas of identified weakness and that does not affect my ability to provide for my family and care for my patients.

Steve Lebowitz, PA-C
Escondido, CA

FOR MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
A Vote in Favor of New Model
Recertification: The NPs Have the Right Idea
Should Exams Be More Hands-on?
When Did a Simple Process Become So Complicated?

I have been a certified PA since 1979, when I took the PANCE and passed.  Since then, I have taken five recertification exams—two were proctored paper exams and three were take-home exams with extra CME required—and passed all of them. 

I have been in the subspecialty of neonatology my entire career.  I am extremely competent in my specialty, as evidenced by my supervising physicians’ evaluation of my clinical performance.  The primary care take-home exam was very difficult, but with the help of textbooks, articles, the Internet, and consultations with specialists, I was able to pass with high percentiles. 

I always felt that, while difficult, the take-home exam was at least a learning experience, as well as a reflection of the way medicine is presently practiced (digital age, evidence-based medicine).  I do not agree with the argument that the exam did not measure competency.  In fact, I would venture to say that the present proctored exam takes time away from keeping up to date with my specialty while forcing me to learn things that I will never need in clinical practice and will likely forget two weeks after the exam.

The very possibility of not being able to practice in my specialty because I cannot pass a proctored exam that is 75% unrelated to my practice is very scary. I have no problem taking an exam that is directed toward CME in areas of identified weakness and that does not affect my ability to provide for my family and care for my patients.

Steve Lebowitz, PA-C
Escondido, CA

FOR MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
A Vote in Favor of New Model
Recertification: The NPs Have the Right Idea
Should Exams Be More Hands-on?
When Did a Simple Process Become So Complicated?