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Berquist.Thomas{at}mayo.edu
The mission statement for the American Journal of Roentgenology declares that "the mission of the AJR is to further the knowledge and professionalism of radiologists, radiologists in training, scientists, and associated health professionals through print and online resources that transform practice, education, research, and patient care." Is our education mission changing? We have entered a new era with more specific education requirements for radiologists and other health professionals. Radiologists who completed their training and passed the American Board of Radiology (ABR) oral examination prior to 2002 were awarded lifetime certificates. Beginning in 2002, time-limited certificates were initiated that require diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, and radiologic physicists to recertify every 10 years. A new 10-year Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process was initiated by the ABR and was divided into four parts:
From the beginning, the ABR emphasized that lifelong learning (Part II of MOC) was clearly the most important part of the process. Lifelong learning is essential to incorporate new information and knowledge into radiology practice. The requirements for continuing medical education (CME) and self-assessment modules (SAMs) needed to fulfill Part II of MOC are clearly defined on the ABR Website (www.theabr.org). Two hundred fifty CME credit hours are required over the 10-year cycle for MOC. All CME must be category 1. Seventy percent of CME credit must be in an individual's area of specialty practice. The other 30% can be in clinically related areas such as risk management, ethics, and outcome methodologies. Twenty SAMs are required over the 10-year cycle. Sixteen SAMs can be clinical, but four must be for noninterpretive skills (e.g., patient safety, contrast reactions, etc.).
Now that the playing field has changed, the American Journal of Roentgenology and AJR Integrative Imaging must keep step and provide more and different innovative products for lifelong learning. How are we doing?
We want to keep our readers informed about the changes and new requirements. Editorials and panel discussions have occurred in AJR to ensure we are working appropriately with the ABR and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) [1, 2]. Working in concert with the ABR and ACGME is critical for providing the appropriate tools to our readers so they can meet the new education requirements.
What do we do about CME and SAMs? Each issue of AJR provides, on average, five articles designated for CME. Also, in 2009, we began to provide focus issues each month that highlight key research and review articles. For example, this month highlights Dr. Mukesh G. Harisinghani's Genitourinary Imaging section. The section features 17 articles on genitourinary imaging—many invited—including five review articles, five original research articles, and five perspective articles.
AJR II provides both CME and SAMs. The March issue focused on cardiopulmonary diseases. There were three SAMs with CME credit in that issue. This month's issue of AJR II contains four SAMs with CME credit. In 2008, AJR provided 167 CME offerings with 190 hours of instruction; 27,634 CME activities were downloaded during that time.
The online presence of AJR and AJR II has continued to grow. The ability to obtain CME and SAMs online is critical in today's learning environment. Our products must be easy to find, easy to navigate (user friendly), high quality, and with content relevant to practice, education, research, and patient care. We must be doing something right. In 2005 there were 1,708 online CME activities for AJR II. This number grew to 12,827 in 2008. CME participation for AJR has grown from 2,796 activities in 2006 to 14,808 in 2008. To date, there have been 63,758 online activities for AJR CME and SAMs.
The online journal also provides additional opportunities for different formats, including video. Our recent readership survey indicated the need for more "how I do it" articles. This information stimulated the concept of online video education to address techniques and practice issues requested by the readers. Therefore, beginning with the September Musculoskeletal Imaging highlight issue, we will test "how I do it" videos. The first series of videos focuses on musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations. This is another example of our continued efforts to provide lifelong learning for our readers.
The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) meeting was held in Boston this April. Each spring the meeting provides numerous opportunities for CME and SAMs for our members and guests. The ARRS also provides a Lifelong Learning Center on its Website (www.arrs.org). A long menu of choices is provided, including meetings and symposia, Web lectures, CME articles, SAMs, and CME for radiologic technologists through the CERT (Continuing Education for Radiologic Technologist) program.
Another opportunity is on the horizon and, by now, may have been completed. The American Roentgen Ray Society is joining hands with the American College of Radiology. Together we will have improved infrastructure and opportunity to refocus our education efforts to meet the increasing educational demands of the scientific community.
We know our readership expects the best from AJR and AJR II. We will continue to review and refocus our education efforts to meet the needs of our specialty, our patients, and the public. New products and delivery mechanisms must be explored to provide the unique education, research, and practice-related tools required to optimize lifelong learning. Send us your comments and ideas.
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