RSNA News - August 2005
RSNA Launches SAMs to Help Members Meet MOC Requirements
Adults learn best through interactive learning. It will be an engaging process.
—Theresa C. McLoud, M.D.
In early July, RSNA unveiled its first set of self-assessment modules (SAMs). These SAMs, plus others that will be available later this year, will help members meet a key component of the American Board of Radiology’s (ABR) new maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements.
Public demand for medical accountability prompted the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to require that each medical specialty credentialing body, including ABR, mandate proof of lifelong learning.
Radiologists certified in 2002 and after, and those who received time-limited certification are now required to complete the MOC process in 10-year cycles. To make the process easier, RSNA is creating a variety of tools to help radiologists.
“As the premier education society in radiology, RSNA has produced a SAMs initiative to encourage everyone in radiology to build on their own knowledge and stay up-to-date, not just those certified in 2002 and after,” said RSNA Board Liaison-designate for Education George S. Bisset III, M.D. “RSNA is way ahead of the game in creating SAMs.”
Dr. Bisset said RSNA has two types of SAMs:
- Online SAMs using materials from InteractED and RadioGraphics
- In-person, course-based modules to be offered at educational meetings, including RSNA 2005
As part of the ABR MOC program, radiologists are required to complete, on average, two SAMs each year for 10 years. RSNA Assistant Executive Director for Research and Education Linda Bresolin, Ph.D., M.B.A., C.A.E., said physicians should choose SAMs in their area of medical interest or in general subjects such as patient safety, radiation safety, professionalism/ethics.
How SAMs Work
RSNA’s online SAMs allow physicians to review articles from RadioGraphics and then answer 10–15 questions based on the articles. The questions are similar to those offered for continuing medical education (CME) credit.
Once they complete the questions, physicians receive test scores that include feedback on the items they answered correctly and incorrectly, and information about how their score compares with those of others who have completed the module. A physician can then assess his or her level of knowledge.
“If you are weak in a subcomponent, you can find learning material, such as references and links to additional information,” Dr. Bresolin explained. If the score is good, the physician may be able to claim CME credit. If it is too low, the physician may not receive CME credit. Either way, the physician receives credit for having completed the SAM.
Each online SAM will take about 2.5 hours to complete. The estimated time includes reading and studying the text, answering the questions, and looking up the appropriate literature provided for references.
SAMs offered at educational meetings will take about 1.5 hours to complete. The in-person SAM will entail answering questions during the course through electronic audience response system technology. At the end of the course, the physician will also receive an individual score, learn how his or her score compares to their peers’ scores and receive a list of additional references and links.
SAMs to be offered at RSNA 2005 will involve the case-based review courses jointly developed with the Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of Pediatric Radiology and American Society of Neuroradiology.
Mellie Pouwels, M.A., managing director of RSNA’s Education Center, said it is important for radiologists, interventional radiologists and radiation oncologists to realize that all physicians will be completing self-assessment activity in their area of clinical practice. “The recertification process represents a continuation of learning throughout a physician’s career. In the past, CME credits may not have been directly applicable to your medical practice. Now, your re-certification will emphasize your clinical practice, your research, your core knowledge of radiology, your CME credits and your SAMs,” she said.
Betty Rohr, director of RSNA Program Services, said SAMs prove you are maintaining your professional knowledge and learning throughout your professional life. “For those who are board certified for life, we encourage you to participate in SAMs. It says something to the public about the quality of the medical care they receive when they know their physicians want to continue to learn throughout their careers,” she said.
Three Years in the Making
RSNA Board Liaison for Education Theresa C. McLoud, M.D., said RSNA has been preparing for the MOC requirements since 2002 and received the specific ABR criteria for SAMs earlier this year. When SAMs went “live” on RSNA.org in July, five online SAMs were available. Additional SAMs are being added as they complete the peer-review process and receive ABR qualification for SAMs credit. To date, about 25 SAMs are in various stages of development.
To develop SAMs, member volunteers and RSNA staff review articles from RadioGraphics from 2002 to the present, along with the CME questions included at the end of the articles. The SAMs are drafted, reviewed by RadioGraphics Editorial Board, and then are sent to the ABR for final approval.
Customized Program for RSNA Members
In July, more than 700 RSNA members were sent a letter from Dr. McLoud offering assistance to help them fulfill their MOC requirements. Members were asked a few questions about their clinical practice and were urged to return their responses in an enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Based on individual physician responses, RSNA will notify these members twice a year about where they are in the MOC process, what they should have completed to date and what they should be doing in the coming months. There will be information on topics such as finding the right SAMs and making the most of the RSNA annual meeting for MOC. In addition, RSNA will provide a secure, online place to store MOC records in a special section that is being developed on the RSNA’s CME Credit Repository (RSNA.org/cme) Web site.
The SAMs offered at RSNA will be included in the interactive, case-based review courses. “Adults learn best through interactive learning,” said Dr. McLoud. “It will be an engaging process.”
Just as SAMs give feedback on a physician’s strengths and weaknesses, Pouwels said RSNA is interested in getting feedback from physicians, “We want to know if we are meeting members’ needs in this important area.” (See box below for contact information.)
Free SAMs for RSNA Members
RSNA is providing SAMs for free to members. Non-members will pay $50 for each SAM.
For more information on RSNA SAMs contact the RSNA Education Center at (800) 381-6660 x 3733 or at
If you have a time-limited certificate and have not received your MOC letter, contact the RSNA Membership Department at (800) RSNA-MEM (776-2636) or at
. For more information on the ABR MOC program, go to theabr.org/MOCtree.htm.
RSNA Online SAMs
Programs include:
- Post-Operative Breast
- Acute Imaging of the Upper Abdomen
- Imaging of the Middle & Inner Ear
- Bone & Joint Masses
- Head, Neck & Intracerebral Malignancy
These SAMs are “qualified by the American Board of Radiology in meeting the criteria for self-assessment toward the purpose of fulfilling requirements in the ABR Maintenance of Certification Program.”
Each SAM qualifies for 1 SAM credit, in addition to CME credits. Each SAM consists of articles from RadioGraphics, a comprehensive test and a list of additional available resources.
