We are all well aware that the American Board of Radiology (ABR) has planned changes to future certification exams in radiology. This will affect residents beginning in 2010, and will not alter the training of those already in residency. The last time this topic was discussed on the blog, many of you voiced your concerns over the decision to delay the certifying exam to 15 months out of residency, and how the changes may create too strong an emphasis on subspecialization.
These changes have been in deliberation for years — those who agree with the changes believe fourth-year residents should concentrate on their responsibilities, and not have to balance studying at the same time; those on the other side believe that residents in their fourth year are best suited to handle the core competency-based format and therefore the exam should remain static.
In response to the many questions ACR members had regarding these changes — rather than deliberate the pros and cons to each side of the debate — the College created a task force to consider the potential impact of changes in the diagnostic radiology boards’ structure and timing. I served as chair, and my fellow members included a mix resident physicians, and private and academic practice members.
So, what will these changes mean for those of us at present — those already in practice?
We realized that there would be no easy solution to this question, and we immediately determined a need to create two subcommittees — one to examine the impact of the ABR’s decision on the future practice of radiology and the ACR, and the other to focus on how the change might affect residency training programs and trainees. Our discussions are summarized at length in a white paper in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR). To read the paper in its entirety, login to the ACR Web site and then click on the JACR links on the bottom left-hand side of the page.
Was the task force successful at addressing your questions and concerns about this major change in radiology?
How do you think the number of individuals choosing to complete fellowships immediately after residency will change?
And, what other issues, if any, do you foresee?
I look forward to your thoughts.




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