Diagnostic Quality Assurance

The Diagnostic Quality Assurance (DQA) Exams and Self-Assessments are concerned with the quality of diagnoses made by the dermatopathologist and are tailored to assess one’s competency to serve as a lab director and/or a diagnostic dermatopathologist, as mandated by CLIA. Participation in the DQA Program also satisfies the CAP Professional Competency Phase II (ANP.10255) requirement of participation in a peer educational program. In 2017, the DQA Program was revised to offer MOC credit in addition to CME. 

Each exam strives to evaluate the effectiveness of a laboratory’s policies and procedures for assuring employee competence and it is geared towards the proper work-up of cases using laboratory methods to distinguish common and uncommon diagnoses. The DQA Exams and Self-Assessments allow individuals to become familiar or to re-familiarize themselves with challenges they are likely to encounter in daily dermatopathology work-up. Individuals participating in the DQA Program will examine the latest advances in the diagnostic methods as well as reconfirm accepted methods to work-up cases.

Participants will review cases and choose the multiple choice answer that best represents their diagnosis. Upon submission of the completed activity and evaluation, participants will receive immediate results including the correct case answers with discussion and references. A CME certificate will be available for printing to those who satisfactorily complete this program. Scores are kept confidential.

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Who Should Participate in the Diagnostic Quality Assurance Exam and Self-Assessment?

Physicians who practice dermatopathology or have a special interest in pathology of the skin or research therein.

  • Dermatopathologists
  • Dermatologists
  • Pathologists
  • Fellows in a Dermatopathology Training Program
  • Residents in Dermatology or Pathology

Accreditation Information

CME - The American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

CC/CCP - The ASDP Quality Assurance Online Self-Assessments offer self-assessment credits to satisfy the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) Component 2 Continuing Certification Program (CCP) requirements, and lifelong learning credits to satisfy the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Part II: Lifelong Learning Continuing Certification (CC) requirements. CME certificate will be available to print upon successful completion of each self-assessment.

Participants should complete the self-assessment with a 75% pass rate or better in order to claim CME credit.

Data from the DQA Online Self-Assessments will be shared with the ACCME, and American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology as part of ASDP's CME accreditation and MOC provider requirements. It is the learner's responsibility to report any CME and/or CC credit earned to their appropriate state licensing board or other authoritative bodies as necessary. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of each DQA Exam and Self-Assessment, participants should be able to:

  • Apply immunohistochemical techniques as they relate to dermatopathology in regards to their advantages and drawbacks.
  • Describe the significance of special stains and immunohistochemistry in complementing H&E findings in dermatopathology.
  • Define the subtleties and caveats of entities commonly encountered in dermatopathology.
  • Recognize uncommon presentations of common entities and common presentations of uncommon entities.

Registration and Activity Fees

Activity Fees for each DQA Online Self-Assessment:

$100 - Members
$200 - Nonmembers

To Register

Members:

  • In order to register as a member, you must login with your member username & password. Once you are logged in, click here to purchase the self-assessment.

Nonmembers and subscribers:

  • Even though you are not a member, you may already have an online account. Please log in here with your username & password.
  • If you do not know your nonmember login and/or password, you may reset it.
  • Or you may create an account.

Already registered and need to finish a self-assessment? Click here.

Technology Requirements

This activity is best experienced using the most current browser (or one back) of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Microsoft Edge. Please note: Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE11) browser will no longer be supported starting January 31, 2020. For all activities featuring audio you must have a sound card and speakers. To view graphic images and references that appear in separate "pop-up" windows, you must have JavaScript and session cookies enabled on your computer. Adobe Acrobat Reader may be required for certain activities.

Faculty Disclosures of Relevant Financial Relationships

Faculty disclosures of relevant financial relationships are included in individual MOC Online Self-Assessment.

Available DQA Exams and Online Self-Assessments

Online exams and self-assessments are available for credit for a three-year period after publication and provide immediate results and confirmation of credit earned. Specific termination dates will be posted with each online self-assessment activity.

Policies

Participants must read these policies prior to registering for the MOC Online Self-Assessments:

CME Policy
Minimum System Requirement
Copyrights, License and Conditions for Use
Privacy and Confidentiality
Disclaimer

Questions?

Contact ASDP