News from the ABR
The BEAM September 2019
September 20, 2019
Practice Prepping: Think About How You Approach ABR Certification Requirements
September 17, 2019
Are you a “prepper”? This does not have to mean “Do you have a stockpile of cans and dry goods?” By the nature of your reading this blog, you are a “prepper” for academic hurdles, the successful clearance of which has paid dividends of educational and professional success for you.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Finds Success in Minority Resident Recruitment
September 10, 2019
Only 6.5 percent of practicing radiologists are underrepresented minorities (URMs) in medicine despite accounting for nearly 35 percent of the U.S. population. Of the 20 largest Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) training programs, radiology ranks 18th among trainees classified as underrepresented minorities.
Many Reasons Why IC Exam Rates Might Vary
September 03, 2019
There are several factors that result in fluctuations in ABR initial certification exam pass/fail rates from year to year.
Some OLA Questions Will Offer Extended Response Time in 2020
August 27, 2019
Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA), a new way to satisfy MOC Part 3, started this past January for diagnostic radiology diplomates and those maintaining a DR subspecialty certificate. Since then, more than 860,000 OLA questions have been answered.
Find Us at Annual Meetings to Learn More About the ABR
August 21, 2019
The ABR has attended major radiology society annual meetings since 2007. In that time, we’ve participated in more than 90 annual meetings and handled more than 7,000 candidate and diplomate inquiries.
New AED Focusing on Maximizing Efficiencies, Minimizing Costs
August 06, 2019
Last month, N. Reed Dunnick, MD , was named one of the American Board of Radiology’s associate executive directors. In his new role, Dr. Dunnick will be the staff liaison for ABR diagnostic radiology trustees.
Radiology Saved My Life
July 30, 2019
As a software developer at the American Board of Radiology, it seemed almost poetic when my doctor sent me for a precautionary MRI in the summer of 2015.
Volunteers Ensure We Accomplish Our Mission
July 23, 2019
As an organization that serves around 60,000 diplomates from four distinct fields, we at the American Board of Radiology depend on volunteers to help fulfill our mission.
Former Board President Named DR Associate Executive Director
July 18, 2019
Former American Board of Radiology (ABR) President N. Reed Dunnick, MD, has been named as the organization’s associate executive director for diagnostic radiology.
Don’t Pass Over Opportunities to Provide OLA Feedback
July 17, 2019
When our Online Longitudinal Assessment was introduced in January, one of its most important features was an ability to collect observations from you, the people who use the system.
Walking-Around Knowledge: What is it?
July 10, 2019
As an ultrasound specialist and senior question writer for the ABR’s Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA), walking-around knowledge is central to what I do in question writing and review.
It’s Not Too Late to Start or Resume OLA Participation
July 02, 2019
Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA), the new way to satisfy MOC Part 3, started this past January for diagnostic radiology diplomates and those maintaining a DR subspecialty certificate. While the system allows substantial flexibility regarding when diplomates answer questions, anyone who hasn’t started participating or began and stopped should log in as soon as possible to avoid missing opportunities to meet his or her annual OLA progress requirement.
OLA’s Flexibility Includes Options to Decline Questions
June 18, 2019
Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) questions are written and reviewed by your peers. These volunteers’ mission is to create content based on “walking-around knowledge,” questions based on work performed during a routine day with value in patient care.
Diplomates Will Soon See Their First OLA Performance Update
June 11, 2019
One question raised about Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) is, “When will I know how I’m doing?” If you’re a diagnostic radiology diplomate or one with a DR subspecialty certificate who’s regularly participating, you’ll see your progress on your OLA dashboard before the end of the year.
ABR Secretary/Treasurer Named ASNR President
June 10, 2019
ABR Board of Governors Secretary/Treasurer Robert M. Barr, MD, has been named American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) President for 2019-2020. His appointment took place at the ASNR’s 57th Annual Meeting in Boston.
Call for Applications: American Board of Radiology Executive Director
May 31, 2019
The Board of Governors of the American Board of Radiology is issuing a Call for Applications for the position of executive director. The current executive director is retiring on or about July 1, 2020, and the start date for the new executive director is negotiable. Applications will be accepted until August 1,
2019.
ABR Executive Director to Retire in 2020
May 31, 2019
Valerie P. Jackson, MD, executive director of the American Board of Radiology (ABR), has announced her decision to retire by July 1, 2020. She assumed the role of executive director in July 2014.
Medical Physicists Play Key Roles in Diagnostic Radiology
May 28, 2019
X-rays and their use for human imaging were discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895, using equipment available in most physics departments. Initially, most radiographs were taken by physicists because the equipment was difficult to use.
Take a Break or Press On? It’s User’s Choice with OLA
May 21, 2019
With more than half of participating diagnostic radiology and DR subspecialty diplomates on track to complete their Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) annual progress requirement by July, here are a few additional details on participation requirements.
Why Must Candidates Travel for Diagnostic Radiology Initial Certification Exams?
May 14, 2019
Delivering our exams at local commercial testing centers has been a topic of conversation for many years. We understand the discontent about added cost for travel and stress of being away from families and training programs. We take this very seriously and are working hard to find more manageable solutions.
ABR Annual Report Nearing Completion
May 07, 2019
In the next few weeks, we will be posting our annual report, a publication that covers notable achievements by our organization and diplomates in 2018.
ABR Executive Director: Diplomate Feedback Will Enhance OLA Experience
April 30, 2019
We are often asked why it takes so long to get results after administration of our computer-based exams. They are scored relatively quickly, but after that we do a detailed analysis of the results for each item.
OLA’s Second Chances Present Learning Opportunities
April 23, 2019
One of many positive features of our new Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) is its ability to immediately tell a diplomate whether he or she answered a question correctly.
ABR Board of Governors Member Appointed Department Chair at Columbia and Chief of Radiation Oncology Service at Irving Medical Center
April 17, 2019
Lisa Kachnic, MD, a former American Board of Radiology president, has been named chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and chief of the radiation oncology service at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, effective September 1.
With a Little Work, We Can Improve Diversity in our Field
April 16, 2019
Our field has a diversity problem. Despite achieving gender parity in medical schools, the number of women in radiology training programs (approximately 25 percent) has been unchanged for more than a decade.
Diplomate Sees Great Value in Continuing Education
April 10, 2019
Being retired from patient care isn’t keeping Alan L. Williams, MD, from participating in Maintenance of Certification (MOC).
