Diagnostic Radiologists' Participation in the American Board of Radiology Maintenance of Certification Program
- 1 December 2019
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Roentgen Ray Society in American Journal of Roentgenology
- Vol. 213 (6), 1284-1290
- https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.19.21724
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. Physicians across specialties have expressed concerns about Maintenance of Certification (MOC) programs of American Board of Medical Specialties member boards, calling for research about MOC acceptance, adoption, and value. The purpose of this study was to characterize diagnostic radiologists' participation in the American Board of Radiology (ABR) MOC program, the framework for its new Online Longitudinal Assessment program. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Practicing U.S. radiologists were identified from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File. Corresponding ABR diplomate certification information was obtained through the ABR public search engine. Focused on diagnostic radiologists (defined as those whose only ABR certificate is in diagnostic radiology), MOC participation rates were calculated across various physician characteristics for those whose participation was mandated by the ABR (time-limited certificates) and for those whose participation was not mandated (lifetime certificates). RESULTS. Among 20,354 included diagnostic radiologists, 11,479 (56.4%) participated in MOC. Participation rates were 99.6% (10,058/10,099) among those whose MOC was ABR mandated and 13.9% (1421/10,225) among those whose participation was not mandated (p < 0.001). The rates of nonmandated participation were higher (all p < 0.001) for academic than for non-academic radiologists (28.0% vs 11.3%), subspecialists than for generalists (17.0% vs 11.5%), and those in larger practice groups (< 10 members, 5.0%; 10–49 members, 12.6%; ≥ 50 members, 20.7%). State-level rates of nonmandated participation varied from 0.0% (South Dakota, Montana) to 32.6% (Virginia) and positively correlated with state population density (r = 0.315). CONCLUSION. Although diagnostic radiologists with time-limited certificates nearly universally participate in MOC, those with lifetime certificates (particularly general radiologists and those in smaller and nonacademic practices) participate infrequently. Low rates of nonmandated participation may reflect diplomate dissatisfaction or negative perceptions about MOC.Keywords
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- ABR Psychometric Testing: Analysis of Validity and EffectsJournal of the American College of Radiology, 2018
- Factors Influencing Physicians' Selection of Continuous Professional Development Activities: A Cross-Specialty National SurveyJournal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 2017
- Downstream Imaging Utilization After Emergency Department Ultrasound Interpreted by Radiologists Versus Nonradiologists: A Medicare Claims–Based StudyJournal of the American College of Radiology, 2017
- Assessment of the American Board of Ophthalmology’s Maintenance of Certification Part 4 (Improvement in Medical Practice)JAMA Ophthalmology, 2016
- Maintenance of Certification: One Size Does Not Fit AllJournal of the American College of Radiology, 2015
- Maintenance of CertificationJournal of the American College of Radiology, 2015
- Point: Twin Dogmas of Maintenance of CertificationJournal of the American College of Radiology, 2015
- Association Between Imposition of a Maintenance of Certification Requirement and Ambulatory Care–Sensitive Hospitalizations and Health Care CostsJAMA, 2014
- Effectiveness of an Asthma Quality Improvement Program Designed for Maintenance of CertificationPEDIATRICS, 2014
- Association Between Maintenance of Certification Examination Scores and Quality of Care for Medicare BeneficiariesArchives of Internal Medicine, 2008