Worried About Recertifying?
The ConCert Exam has changed, but Challenger has you covered...
Challenger was founded by Dan Jones, a visionary physician frustrated by the whole recertification process. Dan wanted to help other physicians save time and money. In the 14 years Challenger has been making Continuing Medical Education and Boards Preparation products, Med-Challenger ConCert EM has remained the most valuable resource used by emergency physicians. What we offer is the one-step answer to your concerns about maintaining certification, lifelong learning, CME fulfillment, state-mandated learning and more across the emergency medicine specialty.
As the specialty and the whole certification process shift toward evidence-based medicine, Challenger's peer-reviewed training and review content will keep you current up to the minute.
Compare Our 99% Success Rate to a 24% Failure Rate in the Specialty Overall ...
Historically, only 76% of emergency physicians pass the recertification exam each year. New Lifelong Learning Self-Assessment (LLSA) tests will improve the old method of recertification, but they will also impose stringent new demands on the physcian's time. Why such a high failure rate? It isn't because physicians don't know their stuff; it's because the examination covers such impossibly broad topics. The tests often include dozens of image interpretations, radiographs, and formulas you haven't had to look at since medical school, and they require knowledge of some relatively obscure areas where the standard of care is changing.
Test-taking is a science of its own, but Challenger relies on a proven 100-year-old methodology known as programmed learning to bullet-proof you on these tests! Despite its age, the programmed learning method still yields the highest cognitive exam scores in comparison to more fashionable (but less reliable) techniques. Challenger ignores fads and fashions so that we can GUARANTEE your success.
Victims of Information Overload A search for efficiency...
Physicians are victims of "mandate overload." On average, requirements include over 50 hours a year of certified Continuing Medical Education, boards recertification, state licensure, and mandated study area requirements—such as pain management, domestic violence, elder care, and bioterrorism. All of these imperatives contribute to an expanding demand on the physcian's time.
Simultaneously, physician incomes are declining and their workload is increasing. The genius of Dan Jones, MD, our founder, was to identify and then capitalize on a study method that actually works to improve knowledge retention, to meet CME requirements, and to prepare the physician for boards exams and subsequent recertification faster and more effectively than any other tool on the market. And that's why it's been the number one seller for 14 years.
With the rising costs of CME and boards review courses, as well as ever-increasing mandates from various accrediting bodies, Med-Challenger ConCert EM is becoming more economical every day. Just think—no fighting long lines at airports, no staying far from home in uncomfortable accommodations, and no more scrambling to find ways to earn CME at the end of the year. In terms of time saved alone, how can you afford not to use this product? And if you split the cost of Med-Challenger ConCert EM over a year's time, it comes down to just $2.18 a day. Isn't your education and peace-of-mind worth the price of a cup of coffee?
Challenger prides itself on staying up-to-date in all aspects of medicine. All courses are routinely peer-reviewed and updated. Should your program accreditation expire, upgrades are provided to Challenger clients at a fraction of standard retail cost. This way, as the face of medicine changes, our valued customers can cost-effectively keep their coursework and reference library current. Of course, our best-value offer is the Challenger Lifetime Subscription—all products and upgrades for a one-time enrollment fee. Ask any of our representatives about this select library enrollment and career investment.
With Med-Challenger ConCert EM: A 99.8% Pass Rate We guarantee you'll pass...
It's not magic. It's just applied science—and a lot of legwork on our part. We have cultivated and customized, with the participation of over 200 contributing physicians, an up-to-date standard-of-care reference for Emergency Medicine. With every topic neatly arranged, boards-appropriate test questions for every topic, over 4,000 fully-referenced questions and 1,400 images covering all the essential aspects of Emergency Medicine, Med-Challenger ConCert EM is the best and most comprehensive resource of its type.
Each special area of learning and competency—from ECG interpretation and acute care radiology to trauma and critical care (and 23 other essential topical areas)—is continually peer-reviewed and adjusted with one goal in mind: preparing and protecting you from lack of adequate preparation for assessments of your knowledge. You must pass—or we fail!
Our review method is so effective that we confidently offer a Boards-Pass Guarantee for the ConCert exam! That's comprehensive content and study with NO RISK!
Study At Your Own Pace Don't get pushed around...
Keep time requirements under your control. Save features capture your scores from wherever you are in the course. Work in one topic in the morning, then jump to something completely different in the afternoon. You're not locked into any enforced content order, remote schedule, or lecture circuit with Challenger products, so your valuable review time is used at your discretion.
The Largest Electronic Image Bank for Emergency Medicine See and interact with images as you study...
Full-color, high-resolution imagery has always been one of the hallmarks of Challenger programs. Every image is assigned to the appropriate standard-of-care topic, and most can be enlarged for detailed examination and observation. Where specific features of an image are salient for instruction, overlays point to items being illustrated.
Practice, Review, Assess, and Score! Get the results you need...
The Challenger review process is elegantly designed to promote the highest level of retention possible. Questions are written by clinical experts to emulate clinical examination standards and to enhance your knowledge of current best practices. Whether you are seeking to acquire Continuing Medical Education credits, preparing for an examination, or reaffirming your knowledge, our review and testing structure will help.
Our three-step progression—Practice, Review, Assess—incorporates the proven educational regime of programmed learning. You will remember the material longer and recall it more easily.
Prepare Using a CD-ROM or the Internet—Both Included Modern flexibility...
Don't have time to drive or fly to that recertification review seminar? Have it come to you. When you purchase any Challenger program, you will receive a CD-ROM and instructional help guide. You will also be automatically set up in our Challenger Online Learning Portal, so you can access your coursework material via the Web from any computer with an Internet connection. Review, study, and take assessments online just as if you were at home. This convenience is crucial, given time constraints shouldered by today's clinical professionals.
Quick and Easy CME Fulfillment—For FREE Everyone's satisfied...
Obtaining your CME certificates has never been easier. You can request CME credits, in blocks of 10 hours, any time upon completion of whole or partial sections of content. Challenger provides multiple score submission options and simple-to-follow instructions. Just mail or fax your printed scores or submit them directly via your online Challenger account. Your scores and required evaluation form (provided) are processed immediately and at NO COST to you. Challenger works closely with our prestigious, institutional sponsors to maintain the most rewarding educational experience possible. For most of our courses, Challenger issues CME certificates on behalf of our sponsors directly from our office, speeding their delivery.
Fast Navigation in an Interactive Environment Practice, Review, Assess, and Score...
The Challenger Interactive Viewer (CIV) is the technical framework or platform on which our content library is deployed. This robust structure integrates all content and dynamic testing functionality in a clear and easily understood format. The review progression is designed to allow quick navigation while providing a step-by-step structure to enhance learning and retention. Read, view, absorb, and retain material at your own pace.
Unlike most clinical review software programs, where navigation is hard to find or confusing, studying with Challenger courses, sections, and topics is simple and straightforward thanks to the flexibility of our CIV. Quickly jump to your area of interest, topic to sub-topic, in a straightforward outline form.
Find what you need, fast. The CIV is graphically laid out to provide large, on-screen selections for fast, easy navigation. Entry into each content section opens the CIV window where content is displayed. Topics list neatly down one side. Want to switch topics? Just click on the topic title in the list. Practice, Review and Assessment tabs line the top of the window for multiple content review options. To return to the main table of contents, simply close the window.
The Challenger review process is designed to promote the highest level of retention possible. Questions are written by clinical experts to emulate clinical examination standards and to enhance knowledge of current best practices. Questions are largely in single-answer format, just like the boards. Whether you are seeking continuing medical education credits, preparing for an examination, or re-affirming your knowledge, our review and testing structure ensures your needs will be met.
In our three-step—Practice, Review, Assess—learning progression, you'll see three tabs displayed at the start of each topic. Each tab's content is formatted for a specific function and usage. You can move from tab to tab as you wish, allowing for a more personalized flow of study.
The "Practice" tab—The test run. Answer each question in a section, and feedback and remediation will pop up for you. Limited tries keep the session honest. Correct and incorrect indicators appear next to your selected answers. All answers are revealed when all tries are exhausted.
The "Review" tab—The study guide. The Review section presents the questions in the order seen in the Practice section, but with all answers and remediation displayed. Once your review is finished, you may either re-enter the Practice section or proceed to the Assessment.
The "Assessment"—The scored test. One or more assessments will be available for each topic. Questions seen in the Practice view will display in random order. At the end of each assessment your responses are scored and a detailed breakdown displayed.
The scoring report indicates correct answers and incorrect answers given for each question. These scores, if the required score is met, can be sent to Challenger Corporation for fast CME certificate fulfillment.
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Challenger Corporation.
The University of Colorado School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Certification Statement
The University of Colorado School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 230.0 Category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits he/she actually spent in the activity.
Disclosure Policy
It is the intent of University of Colorado School of Medicine to assure that its educational mission, and continuing medical education activities in particular, should not be influenced by the special interests of individuals associated with its programs. Having an interest in or an affiliation with any corporate organization does not necessarily influence a faculty's presentation, but the relationship must be made known to the program audience in accordance with the Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Disclosure of Proprietary Interests
According to CME guidelines, authors must disclose all associations with proprietary entities that may have a direct relationship to their subject of discussion. All authors of this program have signed disclosure forms indicating any associations with proprietary entities related to their subjects of discussion.
Activity Dates
Date of Original Release: 1992
Most Recent CME Review/Update: December 1, 2003
Edition Release Date: January, 2005
Expiration Date: December 1, 2008
Target Audience
Med-Challenger is intended for practitioners of Primary Care or Emergency Medicine or clinicians otherwise involved in the diagnosis and treatment of acute or emergent medical problems.
Educational Objectives
The objective of the Med-Challenger continuing medical education program is to provide an interactive review of the knowledge base of acute care and emergency medicine. After completing this course, the participating clinician will be better equipped to:
- Confidently manage the broad spectrum of acute and emergent medical problems encountered in the practice of primary care and emergency medicine.
- Formulate appropriate differential diagnoses for patients presenting with acute medical problems of uncertain etiology.
- Efficiently initiate therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for patients presenting with acute medical disorders.
- Cope effectively with the uncertainty that is inherent in the initial treatment of acute and emergent disorders, effectively stabilizing critical patients while refining the differential diagnosis.
- Handle efficiently the spectrum of common disorders involving all organ systems. In particular, the physician will be better equipped to resuscitate seriously ill patients and to diagnose and treat acute: cardiovascular disorders; diseases of the eye, ear, nose, throat, skin and soft tissues; endocrinologic disorders; traumatic and environmental injuries; gastrointestinal diseases; gynecologic and obstetric disorders; hematologic and oncologic problems; immunologic, allergic and rheumatologic diseases; infectious diseases; life-threatening signs and symptoms; musculoskeletal disorders; pulmonary diseases; and intoxications and poisonings.
- Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and cognitive skills required to achieve objectives 1-5 by scoring at least 80% on all topics studied for CME credit.
"I utilized the Challenger EM program as my primary study aid for the EM re-certification boards. I found the immediate feedback supplied by the program especially helpful for targeting those areas requiring further study."
Kenneth Holbert, MD
About Emergency Medicine
"I used the MD Challenger series (I still have the floppies if you can believe that) when I initially took my boards in 1994 and it was the only study guide I used. It was fabulous. I am looking forward to seeing how things have advanced as I prepare for my recertification boards!"
Sharolyn Rhees Medina, MD, FACEP
About Emergency Medicine
"I used the online course. I found it very useful and relevant. I have a fairly busy life, with work, 3 kids, and a husband who travels, so needless to say the flexibility of your program was perfect for me. I received my Board Score this week and passed successfully, and basically the only program I used was yours and one other Test Booklet."
Mary Engrav, MD
About Med-Challenger EM
"The best EM review available for computer home based system. Cadillac of EM."
Randall A. Howell, MD
About Emergency Medicine
