Part 4: Improvement in Medical Practice
Learn how Improvement in Medical Practice fits the ABR’s Continuing Certification process. Explore PQI Projects and Participatory Activities.
-
Part 4 of Continuing Certification helps you meaningfully engage in quality improvement activities that impact patient care and system performance. Whether you’re working on a project with your department or participating in a national safety initiative, Part 4 allows you to choose activities that align with your daily work and professional interests.
To meet the Part 4 requirement, within the last three calendar years, you must complete either:
- At least one Participatory Quality Improvement Activity
- At least one Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) Project
These can be ongoing or repeated. Your activity or project doesn’t need preapproval. If you’re selected for an audit, you’ll have to send documentation, so keep records in case they’re requested.
Learn more about both options below.
Option 1: Participatory Quality Improvement Activities
Participatory activities are a practical, accessible way to meet your Part 4 requirement — especially when they’re already part of your workflow.
Documentation requirements vary but typically include attendance logs, signed Activity Participation Forms, or copies of published work. You only need to provide documentation if you’re audited.
Browse the list of available Participatory Activities to find the one that works best for you. Some activities only apply to certain disciplines; we’ll indicate the discipline in the description.
Option 2: Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) Projects
Prefer a hands-on approach? You can design your own PQI Project or join one developed by your department, institution, or professional society. Projects typically use a recognized improvement method like Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) and should aim to improve care quality, patient safety, or practice performance.
Project ideas include:
- Improving report turnaround times
- Reducing unnecessary repeat exams
- Enhancing radiation safety
- Standardizing procedures or documentation
- Optimizing care handoffs or critical result communication
You can use our PQI Project Summary Form as a template. Many societies also have ready-to-use project templates and databases to help you get started.
Browse the ABMS Portfolio Program and your discipline’s list of available PQI projects to help you find the one that works best for you.
