One: Professional Standing
PQI: What Is It and What Do You Need To Do? (Dr. Pina Sanelli, ASNR May 2009)
Radiation oncology is that branch of clinical medicine concerned with the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer and certain nonneoplastic conditions, utilizing ionizing radiation.
MOC (maintenance of certification) is for diplomates who are already ABR certified and who are working in the 10-year cycle of maintaining that certification.
Diplomates who hold time-limited (10-year) certificates are automatically enrolled in the MOC program and should start participating immediately.
Diplomates who hold lifetime certificates must enroll in the program to begin the MOC process.
All diplomates should keep the ABR apprised of any change in contact information or licensure.
MOC REQUIREMENTS
The American Board of Radiology has a history of ensuring the excellence of the professionals who practice in our field. As the applications, technologies, and methodologies of radiology continue to expand and develop, we understand that lifelong learning is critical to ensure that new information and knowledge are incorporated into clinical practice. We are therefore looking forward with vision.
Our maintenance of certification process (ABR-MOC) is designed to facilitate and document the professional development of each diplomate through its focus on the essential elements of quality care. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Board of Radiology (ABR), as a member board, have initiated this process.
Although the ABR-MOC program in radiation oncology has been in place for more than 10 years, the program continues to evolve to serve all stakeholders and to meet the needs and requirements of a variety of external agencies and entities.
The ABR believes in the value of maintenance of certification. All current ABR Trustees participate in ABR-MOC, as will all future trustees.
We recommend that all diplomates participate in the ABR-MOC program. Those with time-limited certificates are automatically enrolled in the process. Those with lifetime certificates should consider ABR-MOC as an investment that will ensure continuing education, instill confidence, and promote the best interests of the patient.
So, how does this all work? As a first step you should look at the four components of the radiation oncology MOC program. These components derive from six competencies: medical knowledge, patient care, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.
The four components:
- Professional Standing
- Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
- Cognitive Expertise
- Assessment of Practice Quality Improvement (PQI)
Please also see the MOC Participation Policy for detailed guidelines used to evaluate acceptable participation.
