Why was the Pathways to Competency Task Force established?
Our purpose is to construct a core competency-based framework to support training and evaluation of ACVIM residents. Core competencies will apply universally across all ACVIM specialties, and each specialty will also have the opportunity to consider the addition of specialty-specific competencies.
We elected to adapt the structure of the framework used by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which evaluates and accredits graduate medical training programs in the US. The ACGME has given us permission to use any of their materials, and has provided support rooted in their experience with application of these frameworks over the past 20 years. Our objective is to build a simple, clear, high-level assessment device to support resident training.
Can you describe the composition of the Task Force and explain your role in particular?
The Task Force includes at least one representative from each specialty, with a goal of including perspectives across practice types and species. I serve as a liaison between the task force and the Board of Regents, and also bring a small animal private practice lens to the work.
The Task Force has just finished phase one of our work, and we recently assembled small groups from each specialty who will provide feedback on the core framework and will propose any specialty-specific competencies.
How does the Task Force’s work contribute to the overall mission/goals of the ACVIM?
The BOR has been aware of, and actively discussing, the trend toward competency-based training systems for several years. We believe that this work will have a positive impact on the experience and wellbeing of all individuals involved in resident training, in addition to providing an opportunity for improved oversight of training programs.
How can ACVIM members learn more about the Task Force’s work?
The Task Force Chair, Dr. Jane Sykes, and I recently hosted a webinar that reviewed what competency frameworks are, the ACGME’s role, how their frameworks have evolved over time, and the process that our Task Force is using. Following the presentation we received many great questions. We hope to continue discussion around this topic during the upcoming 2026 ACVIM Forum in Seattle, with more details on that front to be shared soon.
We are currently discussing timelines for testing the utility of the framework and are hoping we may be able to start as early as summer 2026. If you're interested in participating in this work or validation, please email Certification@acvim.org.
