2011

• December 7, 2011: With the first IBHRE Physician EP exam being held worldwide, the Heart Rhythm Society issued a press release announcing the launch of the new exam. The first placement of the press release appeared on the Heart Rhythm Society’s website. Click here to read the full press release.

2008

• January 18, 2008: With the first IBHRE exam held in Japan, the Heart Rhythm Society issued a press release to US trade organizations and Japanese media. The first placement of the press release appeared in Diagnostic & Invasive Cardiology. Click here to read the full press release.

• April 4, 2008: With 638 candidates participating in the first round, the debut of the Japan exam was a great success. The Japanese Heart Rhythm Society and the Japanese Cardiac Rhythm Device Center was instrumental in advancing a strategic partnership while meeting the needs of the Japanese healthcare system. Click here to read the full press release.

December 7, 2011:
The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners Launches New EP Certification Exam For Physicians Who Treat Heart Rhythm Disorders
First-of-its-Kind International Exam Targets Physicians who are not eligible to Obtain U.S. Based Electrophysiology Certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine

Washington, DC, December 7, 2011 The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE) today launched the Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Physician. This is the first international examination for the practicing physician who wants to be board certified in electrophysiology (EP).

The IBHRE recognized the need to develop a certification examination that targets physicians who are qualified by their training and experience to achieve EP board certification, but who are not eligible to take the current United States EP Board exam delivered by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).

The new certification exam specifically targets:

• Physicians who have obtained part or all of their education abroad
  • ABIM requires that the physician must be U.S. Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine. Many physicians in the U.S. have received a portion or all of their Internal Medicine or Cardiovascular Medicine training outside of the U.S. and, therefore, are not eligible to take the U.S. ABIM EP Board Exam
• Pediatric Cardiologists
  • Pediatric Cardiologists with special training and expertise in cardiac electrophysiology are also not eligible to take the U.S. ABIM EP Board Exam, as it requires adult cardiology certification.
• Physicians in other countries
  • Many physicians in countries such as Canada, Australia, China, India, Japan, South America and the Middle East would like to be Board Certified in EP, but they do not meet the U.S. ABIM registration requirements.

All applicants for the IBHRE EP exam must be licensed physicians with active involvement in the clinical management and care of adult or pediatric patients. Physicians must also have successfully completed training equivalent to an accredited medical school, residency and both cardiology and electrophysiology fellowship.

“The IBHRE Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Physician is a very rigorous exam for the practicing electrophysiologist who currently does not have the opportunity to sit for the ABIM EP board exam.” said Charles J. Love, MD, FHRS, CCDS, president of the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners. “This new certification will recognize a worldwide group of adult and pediatric EP physicians and also provides standardization for all qualified candidates no matter where they are located.”

The IBHRE will offer the EP exam globally by computer-based testing. Participants will take the exam today in 14 countries. The next MD EP exam will take place in December 2012.

To learn more about the EP exam and other IBHRE exams, visit http://www.ibhre.org

Back to Top

January 18, 2008:
First Standardized Cardiac Pacing Exam for Japanese Allied Professionals
International Board sees partnership as model for future global testing

Washington, DC, January 18, 2008 -- The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE) this weekend issues the first standardized cardiac pacing exam for Japanese allied professionals. This marks the first time the IBHRE exam, considered the highest benchmark of professional competency in cardiac pacing, defibrillation and electrophysiology, will be tailored to the needs of a global health care system outside of the U.S.

“With the ICD growth rate around 50 percent and no signs of decreasing, the importance of credentialing Japanese professionals is all the more urgent,” said Charles J. Love, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS, CCDS, President of the IBHRE Board of Directors. “Newer devices are highly complex and require a much greater level of technical knowledge and expertise to implant and maintain.”

Formerly known as NASPExAM, IBHRE was founded in 1985 to provide an examination in the fields of cardiac pacing and implantable cardioversion defibrillation.
Originally created for physicians and surgeons, the exam was later developed for allied professionals to raise the level of professionalism and academic credibility in cardiac pacing.

The knowledge base of the exam, which includes device functions, is for the most part a global standard. Patient management questions, however, and an understanding of the clinical culture and medicines used in Japan were considered when tailoring the exam. Translation was also taken into account as word usage and meanings may differ. IBHRE hopes its partnership with Japan Heart Rhythm Society (JHRS) will serve as the model for future exam tailoring and administration in countries such as China, Russia, and India.

“Given the growing number of heart rhythm patients around the world and the variations of health care systems globally, the need for certification and credentialing is of utmost importance to enhance positive patient care,” said Love.

The Japanese Ministry of Health has mandated that in addition to allied professionals, sales representatives, technical advisors and anyone else having contact with patients from the medical device industry must be certified. This mandate is meant to ensure a meaningful standard of knowledge for those involved in assisting physicians and other health care workers in the implantation and management of pacemakers and ICDs.

More than 7,000 individuals in the U.S. have taken the IBHRE exam to date. A full 644 allied professionals in Japan are already signed up to take the first of its kind computer-based test. Results will be announced in March 2008.

About IBHRE
An affiliate, independent body of the Heart Rhythm Society, IBHRE is enriched by cardiac arrhythmia health care professionals who strive for excellence and optimal health care by passing this distinguished exam. Participation in the exam is consistent with the Heart Rhythm Society’s overall purpose to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Working together to standardize the profession, IBHRE and the Heart Rhythm Society provide the most current testing and professional development tools with advances in heart rhythm management to enhance knowledge and delivery of health care to patients.
www.IBHRE.org

About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of over 4,400 heart rhythm professionals in more than 67 countries around the world.
www.HRSonline.org

Back to Top

April 4, 2008:
Results Announced for First Cardiac Pacing Exam for Japanese Allied Professionals
Initial Japan-based Exam Scores Comparable to Those in U.S.

Washington, DC, April 4, 2008 – Results released today from the first standardized cardiac pacing examination for Japanese allied professionals show a notable pass rate amongst candidates. The exam, administered by the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE) and designed to test professional competency in cardiac pacing, defibrillation and electrophysiology, is the first standardized cardiac pacing examination tailored to the needs of a health care system outside of the U.S.

In the debut of the Japan-based exam, 638 candidates participated in the first round, resulting in an overall pass rate of 66 percent. While U.S.-based pacing exams for allied professionals average a 75 percent pass rate, the Japan-based exam pass rate is notable given this was the first round of the exam. Japanese exam candidates represent a wide cross section of professionals from more than 85 companies including Medtronic Japan, Biotronik Japan, GM Medical, Boston Scientific Japan and St. Jude Medical.

“We are very pleased with the pass rate of this first round exam,” said Charles J. Love, M.D., FACC, FAHA, FHRS, CCDS, and President of the IBHRE Board of Directors. “We believe the gap will narrow significantly between U.S. and Japanese pass rates now that the expectations are known by the candidates. This was a very successful first round of the exam and we look forward to hosting the second round in January of 2009. I applaud the efforts of all of those who took the time and effort to challenge the examination and to become certified in cardiac rhythm device therapy.”

The knowledge base of the exam, which includes device functions, is a global standard. Patient management questions, however, and an understanding of the clinical culture and medicines used in Japan were considered when tailoring the examination. Close collaboration with the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society to tailor the exam for Japan’s specific needs resulted in an examination appropriate for this group of candidates. It also provides a model that can be used to offer the exam in other countries.

“With the ICD growth rate around 50 percent and no signs of decreasing, the importance of credentialing Japanese professionals is all the more urgent,” said Love. “Given the growing number of heart rhythm patients around the world and the variations of health care systems globally, the need for certification and credentialing is of utmost importance to achieve optimal patient care.”

The Japanese Ministry of Health has mandated that allied professionals, sales representatives, technical advisors and anyone else having contact with patients from the medical device industry be “certified”. This mandate is meant to ensure a meaningful standard of knowledge for those involved in assisting physicians and other health care workers in the implantation and management of pacemakers and ICDs.

Back to Top