CAQ Knowledge Assessment Test Content

Knowledge Assessment Test (KAT)

Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) for Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

content outline

Purpose of the Examination:

The purpose of the Knowledge Assessment Test (KAT) for Certification of Added Qualification (CAQ) for advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy is to assess the fund of knowledge and the skills of advanced diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures.

Content and Format:

KAT is based on pre-determined and validated content. Test questions are designed to assess domains and topics based on the validated content. These topics and items will be reviewed periodically to reflect the changes in the concepts and practice of medicine. The format of KAT is Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ), with clinical scenarios highlighted by radiographic studies, bronchoscopic images, and other relevant media. A total of approximately 100 to 120 questions will be on the examination, and nearly three hours will be allowed to complete the test. Below are the domains and topic areas, along with their weighted average, that will appear on a typical KAT.

Domain: Disease and Core Specific Knowledge:   37%
Comprehensive evaluation and management of patients with thoracic malignancies 8%
      Lung cancer screening
      Pulmonary nodules
      Lung cancer diagnosis, including molecular and immune markers
      Lung cancer staging
Lung cancer treatment, including the basics of chemotherapy, targeted genetic therapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and surgical therapy

Other intrathoracic malignancies (e.g., esophageal, thyroid, mesothelioma, metastatic cancer)

Peri-procedure management     8%
Procedural Anesthesia    8%
       Moderate & deep sedation
       General anesthesia
       Local anesthesia
 Management of complications of bronchoscopy        7%
Benign lung disease workup     3%
       Interstitial lung disease
       Sarcoidosis
       Infections   
Ethics and palliation        3%
Domain: Procedural Knowledge     63%

 Routine diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures         8%
       Bronchoalveolar lavage
       Transbronchial biopsy
       Endobronchial biopsy
       Conventional transbronchial needle aspirate  

Convex and radial EBUS        8%
Navigation bronchoscopy        5%
Sample handling, including rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE)        6%
Surgical interventions         2% 
Mediastinoscopy, video-assisted thoracoscopy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy, and robotic thoracic surgery  
CT-guided transthoracic needle aspirate     1% 
Yield, complications, etc.
Thoracic anatomy        7% 
       Airway anatomy
       EBUS related mediastinal anatomy
Pulmonary physiology pertinent to bronchoscopic procedures    7%
Airway management during bronchoscopy    9%
Management of the difficult airway     7% 
       Bronchoscopic and non-bronchoscopic techniques     
Coding and billing for bronchoscopy    3%