Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR
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Performance measures in radiology play an increasingly significant role in health care quality assessment and now form the basis for a variety of pay-for-performance programs, including those administered by CMS. This article introduces the measure development process, beginning with topic selection, followed by measure development and testing, National Quality Forum endorsement, and implementation. Once implemented, measures may undergo further testing and be re-endorsed, modified, or retired. Radiologists should familiarize themselves with the measures relevant to their practice, develop ways to collect and report data efficiently, and implement the necessary practice changes to meet measure criteria and improve the quality of their practice.
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Interest in radiology as a career among US medical students has changed. The aim of this study was to investigate the recent and historical trends in residency applications and how they have affected competitiveness in obtaining a position. ⋯ Although radiology residency positions have continued to increase, interest among US seniors has dropped every year since 2009. The 2013 match was the least competitive since 1998. Over the past 3 years, the competitiveness of matching radiology on a supply-and-demand basis has been close to that of obstetrics and gynecology and anesthesiology.
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In a move to emphasize the educational outcomes of training programs, the ACGME has created the Next Accreditation System (NAS). The stated goals of NAS include aiding the ACGME in the accreditation of programs based on educational outcome measures, decreasing program burdens associated with the conventional process-based approach to ACGME accreditation, allowing good programs to innovate while enabling struggling programs to steadily improve, and providing public accountability for outcomes. Diagnostic radiology is among the first group of specialties to undergo NAS implementation and began operating under the NAS in July 2013. This article describes the various components of the NAS and explains the new elements, including the clinical learning environment review program, the milestones, the clinical competency committee, and the self-study visits.
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Twitter is a social media microblogging platform that allows rapid exchange of information between individuals. Despite its widespread acceptance and use at various other medical specialty meetings, there are no published data evaluating its use at radiology meetings. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the use of Twitter as a microblogging platform at recent RSNA annual meetings. ⋯ Markedly increased use of the Twitter microblogging platform at recent RSNA annual meetings demonstrates the potential to leverage this technology to engage meeting attendees, improve scientific sessions, and promote improved collaboration at national radiology meetings.