Proposed ABR Exams (10/26/07)

TO: Radiology Stakeholder Organizations
FROM: The American Board of Radiology (ABR)
DATE: October 26, 2007

RE: ABR Examinations

Current and future practice models in Radiology are emphasizing subspecialty expertise to match the clinical demands of specialists in surgery and medicine. Because medical knowledge in subspecialty fields is advancing rapidly, radiologists must commit to life-long learning, periodic self-assessment and continuing practice improvement to keep pace. Training programs already have begun to evolve in this direction, and it is important that the initial certification process in diagnostic radiology reflect these changes. Accordingly, as a result of these issues and extensive discussions by the ABR diagnostic radiology trustees over the past 18 months, the ABR plans to change the structure, content and timing of future initial certification examinations in Diagnostic Radiology. These changes in content, timing and examination structure will not affect residents currently in training. Rather, they will affect residents entering diagnostic radiology training in the near future - likely the classes that begin their training in 2009, 2010 or 2011 depending on the readiness of the new examinations. The principal changes that are planned are as follows:

1. A new image-rich, computer-based radiology core examination will be given 30 months after the beginning of radiology residency training. Whether or not this core examination will be administered as separate physics and clinical components or as an integrated single examination has not been determined. This examination will require knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology and principles of radiological physics. The examination will include case presentations.
2. A computer-based and image-rich final certifying examination in diagnostic radiology will be administered 15 months after the completion of the diagnostic radiology residency (yearly in September/October). The ABR plans to make this examination available widely through commercial examination centers. This examination will be tailored to reflect the training emphasis, experience and the corresponding planned practice emphasis of the individual resident, who will be allowed to specify up to four areas of concentration. These areas of concentration will not, however, constitute the entire examination. Every examination also will include material pertinent to all diagnostic radiologists.

More details about the new examinations will be provided in future ABR e-mails and presentations. The ABR thanks the many organizations and individuals who have provided input to this important transition in the ABR examination process.