Spring 2015
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From the Editor

The American Board of Radiology Examination Production: Past, Present and Future 
by Lane F. Donnelly, MD, ABR Trustee

2015;8[1]:1-2


The ABR produces a vast amount of examination content each year. Although the diagnostic radiology oral exam was administered for the last time in 2014, the ABR continues to administer a wide variety of exams for the diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, and medical physics disciplines. In 2014, the ABR was responsible for the production of more than 200 individual examinations that were administered to more than 5,000 first-time examinees. These initial certification and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exams spanned from the evaluation of basic knowledge to more advanced case-based and image-rich clinical management evaluation.


 

The exams also included a variety of different formats, from single-best-answer, multiple-choice items administered in standardized exam centers, to case-based oral examinations administered in Louisville, Kentucky, by trained oral examiners (in radiation oncology, medical physics, and interventional radiology). For additional information on exam performance, please refer to the "Scoring and Results" section of a particular exam on the ABR website at www.theabr.org (links can be found under the "Exam Information" sidebars on the Web pages for each discipline)Read more.
Ask the Director

The ABR Implements New Connections Center
by Valerie P. Jackson, MD, Executive Director

2015;8[1]:3
  

At the ABR, we are always looking for ways to improve your experiences, as a candidate or diplomate, in your interactions with our organization. Most of you communicate with us by phone, FAX, or email. In order to provide timely, accurate, and consistent responses to every inquiry, the ABR has implemented a Connections Center. A team of trained, customer-focused individuals serves as the first tier of response to phone calls and email messages from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST weekdays. They are able to answer most questions immediately, or to forward the call or message to the appropriate ABR staff expert. Each inquiry is tracked from initiation to resolution to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks and that responses are timely. The goal is to have a response completed within one business day, but most answers are immediate. 

 

The Connections Center has already improved our candidate and diplomate satisfaction with their interactions with the ABR, as reflected in the many compliments received by Connections Center staff. Many are delighted at how quickly they are able to speak to a "live" person, rather than listening to a long recording. Callers and emailers also have expressed their appreciation for the time that ABR staff members take to thoroughly explain and help them understand ABR information, or to walk them through an entire process over the phone. Read more.

Focus on Maintenance of Certification

Frequently Asked Questions
by Vincent P. Mathews, MD, ABR Trustee

2015;8[1]:4-5

In this issue of The BEAM, I'd like to address several "Frequently Asked Questions" about Maintenance of Certification (MOC). ABR staff members report that they often receive the following questions, either by phone or email:


1. What's the difference between PQRS and MOC:PQRS?

 

PQRS (Physician Quality Reporting System) is a program sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that uses a combination of incentive payments and negative payment adjustments to promote reporting of quality information by eligible professionals (EPs). PQRS is not administered by the ABR and does not require participation in MOC. Read more.

Focus on Residents

Improving the Core Examination
by Donald J. Flemming, MD, ABR Trustee
 
2015;8[1]:6-7

According to ABR psychometric statistics, as well as feedback from an exit survey of test takers, the Core Examination has improved between the 2013 and 2014 test cycles. To make this better quality possible, the examination development process embraces the principles of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. The purpose of this report is to give the reader an inside look at examination development and how data and feedback are used to improve the performance of the exam.
 

The process of developing any given ABR examination is carried out by volunteers and is very thoughtfully planned and executed. The steps to examination development are as follows:


 
1. Plan - Item Writing: Volunteers form committees assigned to perform the task of exam question writing for the various categories on ABR exams. Read more.

Focus on Diagnostic Radiology

Study Resources for the Core and Certifying Exams
by Kay H. Vydareny, MD, Associate Executive Director for Diagnostic Radiology and Acting Associate Executive Director for Interventional Radiology  

2015;8[1]:8-9

Vydareny As the June Core Exam administrations are rapidly approaching, and the first administrations of the Certifying Exam will be next October, ABR candidates are naturally concerned about how to study and what resources are available. The ABR has many online study guides and other resources, and two new helpful resources for the Core Exam are also available on the websites of RadioGraphics and Academic Radiology.

For the Core Exam, see the following resources on the ABR website:

The Core Exam Study Guide is a list of topics that COULD be included in each category of the examination. Since each version of the Core Exam is a subset of the entire domain, not all topics are included in each examination when it is given.  Read more.

Focus on Radiation Oncology

 

Update on the Development of the Radiation Oncology Initial Certification Qualifying Examinations
by Paul E. Wallner, DO, Aaron Gudenkauf, BA; Anthony Gerdeman, PhD; and Jennifer Willis, MS
 
2015;8[1]:10-12
From left: Paul Wallner, Aaron Gudenkauf, Anthony Gerdeman,
and Jennifer Willis

Primary goals in development of the radiation oncology (RO) initial qualifying (computer-based) examinations are fairness, reliability, and relevance. In pursuit of these goals, the process and product undergo ongoing scrutiny and modification as the radiation oncology Residency Review Committee (RO RRC) adds new requirements to the training curriculum, and as the ABR trustees and examination development team feel are necessary and appropriate.

 

A significant change in the RO exam-development process occurred in late 2011, when the eight clinical category committees were reorganized. Prior to January 1, 2012, the reorganization implementation date, individual items (questions) were provided by an ad hoc cadre of item writers who had minimal interaction with each other and functioned in loosely organized committees. A significant burden of examination development rested on the shoulders of the committee chairs, ABR radiation oncology trustees, and internal examination development staff. Many submitted items were duplicative, required significant editorial revision, or lacked sufficient relevance. Read more.

Focus on Medical Physics

Changes in Policies and Procedures

by ABR Medical Physics Trustees Jerry D. Allison, PhD; Geoffrey S. Ibbott, PhD; and J. Anthony Seibert, PhD


2015;8[1]:13-14

 

MP Trustees 2013
From left: Drs. Seibert, Allison, and Ibbott

The ABR has made a number of changes to its policies and procedures that may be of interest to medical physicists, as well as medical physics (MP) residents, students, and program directors. These include a new limit of 10 years to become board eligible after passing the Part 1 exam and changes in ABR audits of applications. This article also includes a chart displaying the number of Part 1 applications received during the past four years.


New 10-year Rule
 

The ABR has instituted a 10-year rule requiring that a candidate must become board eligible no more than 10 years after passing the MP Part 1 exam. The main reason for this change in policy is because the ABR has a number of MP candidates who passed Part 1 yet have not continued to pursue initial certification. This rule will allow the ABR to close the files of these candidates. Read more.

Volume 8, Issue 1
 
 
      
In This Issue
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Longtime ABR Receptionist Jacky Prendergast Retires
 
2015;8[1]:15


 

The ABR's longtime receptionist, Jacky Prendergast, often referred to as "the voice of the ABR," retired in December 2014, having served 10.5 years in her position.

 

Jacky was always pleasant to everyone she encountered, whether personally or on the phone, and she was always ready to lend a helping hand. She had a special skill for making others feel welcome, whether they were standing on the other side of the reception desk or outside a locked door.

Just recently, Jacky became a grandmother to twins, whom she plans to visit in her free time, when she's not spending time with Donnie, her significant other. We wish Jacky a very happy retirement and thank her for her many years of service to the ABR!

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ABR Adds New Interventional Radiology Webpage
 
2015;8[1]:16
 

The ABR has created a new webpage outlining the expected components and rules for the new Interventional Radiology/ Diagnostic Radiology (IR/DR) primary certification, as well as its impact on the Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) subspecialty, and suggestions for candidates currently in training.

 
In 2012, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved the IR/DR certificate to recognize interventional radiology as a unique medical specialty addressing the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through expertise in diagnostic imaging, image-guided minimally invasive procedures, and the evaluation and clinical management of patients with conditions amenable to these methods.

 

The Committee on Requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has approved the program requirements for the Interventional Radiology Residency Program. These requirements can be seen on the ACGME website, and the application for the new residency will be available early in 2015. All applying sites will require an on-site visit. Read more.

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Registration Windows for Subspecialty Exams
 
2015;8[1]:17

 

The 2016 Vascular/Interventional (VIR) Subspecialty Oral Exam will take place on May 15-16  in Louisville, Kentucky. The initial VIR registration period will be from August 1 - September 30, 2015. Anyone registering in October will be charged an additional late fee of $400. For other subspecialties, registration opened on February 1 and will run through April 30. Registrations still will be accepted in May, but with a late fee of $400. 

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 Spotlight on an MOC Participant

2015;8[1]:18-19

 

This is the first of a series of BEAM articles spotlighting an ABR Maintenance of Certification (MOC) participant. Christopher M. Straus, MD, is a board-certified radiologist and serves as an associate professor and director of student education for radiology at the University of Chicago. He also obtained his undergraduate and medical degrees, and served his residency and fellowship in interventional radiology, at the University of Chicago.

 

Dr. Straus serves on numerous committees linked to house staff training and the medical school curriculum, in addition to undertaking clinical research on the topic of mesothelioma. He is active in professional organizations, having served as past president of the Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology, as a board member of the Association of University Radiologists, as chair of the American Roentgen Ray Society Education Accreditation Compliance Committee, and as a member of the MOC musculoskeletal section subcommittee.  Read more.

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List of Society Attendance
 
2015;8[1]:20


 The ABR sponsors a booth at numerous society meetings throughout the year. Printed materials are available, and ABR representatives are in attendance to answer your questions. To see a list of society meetings at which the ABR plans to have a booth in 2015, please click here.

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Thank you . . . 

for reading this issue of The BEAM. If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, please email [email protected].
 
Sincerely,
Valerie P. Jackson, MD, Executive Director,
American Board of Radiology
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