New OLA Practice Profile Options Are Popular with IR Diplomates
by James B. Spies, MD, MPH, ABR Associate Executive Director for Interventional Radiology
2022;15(2):6
In January, new rules went into effect that gave diplomates more options for configuring their practice profiles in Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA). Whereas previously, interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology diplomates had to select 100% IR content, they can now select up to two other clinical practice areas (CPAs). At least 50% of questions need to be from IR, and a minimum of 25% of content can come from each optional CPA.
This gives more flexibility in how a profile is configured and enables diplomates to have a profile that better matches their current practice.
The changes, which were made in response to diplomate feedback, have been popular. Although 59.5% of IR/DR diplomates participating in OLA have continued to select 100% IR content, there are now 91 other combinations of CPAs in use. For example:
- 75% IR, 25% General
- 50% IR, 25% ER, 25% GI
- 50% IR, 25% GI, 25% GU
A few reminders:
- There were no changes to the OLA practice profile rules for diplomates with an IR certificate and one subspecialty. These diplomates will continue to be required to select 100% IR content for the IR certificate and 100% subspecialty content for the subspecialty certificate.
- Changes can be made to the selected CPAs and the percentage allocations as often as desired and will take effect immediately.
- Because performance evaluations are based on the most recent 200 scorable questions, questions from a CPA that is no longer selected in the current practice profile may be included in a diplomate’s performance evaluation.
- The performance ratings of all CPAs in the most recent 200 questions can be seen in the cumulative score data.
