ABIM Hematology study guide
ABIM Hematology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABIM Hematology Certification Examination is the subspecialty board exam through which internists already certified in internal medicine earn added certification in hematology. It is intended for physicians who have completed an accredited hematology fellowship and can document clinical competence across the six ACGME/ABMS competencies, procedural skills, and professional behavior. The ABIM Hematology study guide has 6 sections and about 1,348 words.
01Patient Care and Procedural Skills in Hematology
Patient care in hematology is built on a disciplined diagnostic sequence: confirm the abnormality, characterize it (morphology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics/molecular), then link it to a clinical syndrome. Candidates should be fluent in the workup of anemia (reticulocyte index, iron studies, hemolysis screen), thrombocytopenia (pseudothrombocytopenia, TTP, HIT, DIC), and coagulopathy (PT/PTT mixing studies, factor assays).
265 words, about 1 min02Medical Knowledge: Hematologic Pathophysiology
Medical knowledge questions test mechanistic understanding across benign and malignant hematology. Key frameworks include: hemoglobin structure and oxygen dissociation (shift with pH, 2,3-BPG, temperature), iron homeostasis (hepcidin, ferroportin), and the coagulation cascade with the cell-based model.
240 words, about 1 min03Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
This domain asks whether you can appraise evidence and improve your own practice. Candidates should understand study design (RCT, cohort, case-control), measures of effect (RR, OR, HR, NNT), and sources of bias (selection, lead-time, publication).
242 words, about 1 min04Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Communication in hematology is high-stakes: delivering a new diagnosis of leukemia, discussing prognosis, obtaining informed consent for chemotherapy or transplant, and navigating goals of care. Candidates should demonstrate structured approaches-ask-tell-ask, SPIKES for breaking bad news, and shared decision-making.
194 words, under 1 min05Professionalism in Hematology
Professionalism encompasses integrity, accountability, respect, and patient-centeredness. In hematology, ethical tensions arise around transfusion refusal (Jehovah's Witness), rationing scarce resources (stem cell transplant, CAR-T slots), conflicts of interest with industry, and end-of-life decisions.
196 words, under 1 min06Systems-Based Practice
Systems-based practice examines how hematology care operates within teams, institutions, and payers. Key topics include transfusion medicine stewardship (blood utilization committees, restrictive thresholds), anticoagulation clinics, tumor boards, multidisciplinary care, patient safety (specimen labeling, wrong-blood-in-tube errors), and care transitions.
211 words, about 1 min