New OLA Practice Profile Options Increase Flexibility for IR Diplomates
by James B. Spies, MD, MPH, ABR Associate Executive Director for Interventional Radiology
2021;14(6):6
Since the initiation of Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) at the beginning of 2020, many interventional radiology diplomates have asked for the opportunity to have more diagnostic imaging in the program. This has been of particular interest among those who do part-time interventional and part-time diagnostic imaging. Since OLA’s inception, all those who hold an IR/DR certificate have been required to take 100% IR content, which did not match the practices of many IR diplomates.
In response to that request, the ABR Board of Governors has approved a change in OLA practice profile rules for IR diplomates. Starting January 1, 2022, IR diplomates will be able to select up to two other clinical practice areas (CPAs). At least 50% of questions will need to be from IR, and a minimum of 25% of content can come from each optional CPA. The new options will allow more flexibility in how a profile is configured and enable diplomates to set up a profile that better represents their current practice.
For example, a diplomate could select one of the following configurations:
- 100% IR
- 50% IR, 25% Gen, 25% Cardiac
- 70% IR, 30% ER
There will be 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.
The new practice profile selection interface will be easy to use, with diplomates able to enter percentages or use arrows to raise or lower the percentages allocated to each area. 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 latest 200 scorable questions, questions from a CPA that is no longer selected in the current practice profile may be included in a diplomate’s next performance evaluation. The performance ratings of all CPAs in the latest 200 questions can be seen in the cumulative score data.
