The ABR 2021 Radiation Oncology Remote Examinations: Development, Administration, and Implications for the Future.

With the onset of the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in early 2020, it became apparent that routine administration of the ABR Qualifying and Certifying Exams would be disrupted. Initial intent for postponement was later altered to a recognition that replacement of the existing delivery methodologies was essential. Herein, the authors describe the conceptualization, development, administration, and future implications of the new remote examination delivery platforms.

Recent Changes to ABR Maintenance of Certification Part 4 (PQI): Acknowledgment of Radiologists' Activities to Improve Quality and Safety.

The ABR has recently reviewed and revised its policy establishing how ABR diplomates may comply with requirements for Maintenance of Certification Part 4: Practice Quality Improvement (PQI). The changes were deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees to acknowledge and credit the numerous ways in which radiology professionals contribute to improving patient care through existing and evolving activities available to them within the radiology community. In addition to meeting requirements by completing a traditional PQI project, the policy revision now allows diplomates to meet criteria by completing one of a number of activities in an expanded spectrum of PQI options recognized by the ABR. The new policy also acknowledges the maturing state of quality improvement science by permitting PQI projects to use "any standard quality improvement methodology," such as Six Sigma, Lean, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Model for Improvement, and others in addition to the previously prescribed three-phase plan-do-study-act format.

The American Board of Radiology Focused Practice Recognition in Brachytherapy (FPRB) Program: Opportunities lost, lessons learned, and future implications.

In 2011, the American Board of Medical Specialties approved a pilot project submitted by the American Board of Radiology for a Focused Practice Recognition in Brachytherapy initiative. Developers had anticipated significant interest within the profession and had hoped that the project would stimulate clinical interest, research, and education in the modality. A centerpiece of the project was a National Brachytherapy Registry, which was to serve as a dynamic longitudinal database for participants and the profession. Ultimately, the project did not achieve its anticipated goals and was terminated by the American Board of Radiology in 2015. Development, implementation, problems encountered, and potential implications and solutions are discussed.

Evaluation of off-the-shelf displays for use in the American Board of Radiology maintenance of certification examination.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare high-, mid-, and low-resolution off-the-shelf displays currently employed by commercial testing centers, in terms of visibility of lesion features needed to render a diagnostic decision when possible diagnoses are provided in a multiple-choice format during a maintenance of certification (MOC) examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Psychometrics Division of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) approved the studies (human subjects and HIPAA compliant). One study compared 1280 x 1024 displays with 1024 x 768 displays; the second, 1600 x 1200 with 1280 x 1024 displays. Images from nine subspecialties were used. In each study, observers viewed images twice-once on each display. Diagnoses were provided, and observers rated visibility of diagnostic features. RESULTS: Of 7977 data pairs analyzed in study 1, the 1024 and 1280 displays received the same ratings for 5726 data pairs (72% of the time), with the 1024 display receiving a higher rating for 679 data pairs (9% of the time) and the 1280 receiving a higher rating for 1572 data pairs (19% of the time) (P < .0001). When rating differences existed, all subspecialties except nuclear medicine had significantly more high-visibility ratings with the 1280 display. Of 1090 data pairs analyzed in study 2, the 1280 and 1600 displays received the same ratings for 689 data pairs (63% of the time), with the 1280 receiving a higher rating for 162 data pairs (15% of the time) and the 1600 receiving a higher rating for 239 data pairs (22% of the time) (P = .0001). When rating differences existed, only cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal images had significantly more high-visibility ratings with the 1600 display. CONCLUSION: For the ABR MOC examinations, 1280 x 1024 displays should be used, compared to 1024 x 768 displays; 1600 x 1200 displays may be necessary for some images. Good-quality images must be used on the examinations, so digital rather than digitized film images should be used to ensure high-quality images.

Self-assessment for maintenance of certification.

Self-assessment is paired with continuing medical education in the "lifelong learning " component of the American Board of Radiology's (ABR) Maintenance of Certification program. The literature on the use of self-assessment in higher education and the professions is instructive with regard to the distinctiveness of this form of adult learning. This article reviews pertinent literature, summarizes the findings, and applies the principles to the creation and use of "self-assessment modules" (SAMs) for the maintenance of certification. Data on the use of ABR-qualified SAMs are reported. On completion of this article, the reader should be able to describe the nature, role, and best practices of self-assessment; apply these concepts to the creation or use of a SAM; and identify future opportunities for SAM development and use that will enhance the lifelong learning of radiologists.