ABR Announces Focused Practice Recognition Initiative in Cardiac CT

Contact: Donna Breckenridge May 2, 2012
Phone: 520-790-2900
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
E-mail: dbreckenridge@theabr.org
American Board of Radiology Announces Focused Practice Recognition Initiative in Cardiac CT
The American Board of Radiology (ABR) is pleased to announce that its Focused Practice Recognition
Initiative in Cardiac CT (FP-CCT) program is open for applications. This innovative pilot program offers
unique value previously unavailable through conventional American Board of Medical Specialties
(ABMS) pathways to certification and subspecialty certification. It is designed for physicians who
maintain a significant practice emphasis in cardiac CT and who further engage in a program of
continuous professional development.
The initiative is a voluntary component of the existing ABR Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
and is designed to allow ABR diagnostic radiology diplomates who are enrolled in MOC and active in
Cardiac CT practice to achieve an added credential that demonstrates their commitment to quality and
safety, expertise, and volume of practice in that modality. Diplomates not enrolled in MOC are not
eligible to participate in the Focused Practice program. Lifetime certificate holders will be welcomed into
the MOC program and will be able to participate in the Focused Practice Recognition in Cardiac CT
program once they have enrolled in MOC.
After diplomates have fulfilled the necessary requirements, they will be listed on the ABR and ABMS
websites as ABR Board Certified with Focused Practice Recognition in Cardiac CT. Critical parameters for
participation include:
• Primary certification in diagnostic radiology from the ABR for at least one year.
• Current active participation in MOC.
• Completion of at least 150 gated, contrast-enhanced cardiac CT studies within the last three
years, with primary responsibility for the protocol and interpretation of at least 75 of these
studies.
• Completion of a minimum of 4 ABR-qualified Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) in cardiac CT and
at least 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits in cardiac CT.
• Completion of at least one practice quality improvement (PQI) project in cardiac CT.
• Passing score on a secure examination. The American College of Radiology's (ACR's) Cardiac CT
Advanced Proficiency examination fulfills this requirement for the FPR-CCT Pilot Program. This
exam includes a knowledge-based, multiple-choice component and a practical, simulation
component that allows candidates to conduct actual cardiac CT case assessments with full
cardiac CT data sets on a vendor software platform used in clinical practice. If you have already
passed this examination, you have fulfilled this requirement and will not need to take the
examination again.
• Payment of an $895 application fee, which includes the examination fee. For candidates who
have already passed the examination as verified by the ACR, the application fee is $350.
•
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The application process is now open to diplomate enrollment by accessing their Personal Database
(PDB) through the ABR (www.abronline.org). The ABR website provides further information
(www.theabr.org/FP-cardiac) and a general MOC program application form for those not yet enrolled.
If you have any questions regarding the Focused Practice Recognition program, please contact Tina
Henson at fprcct@theabr.org.
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Established in 1934, the mission of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) is to serve patients, the public,
and the medical profession by certifying that its diplomates have acquired, demonstrated, and
maintained a requisite standard of knowledge, skill, understanding, and performance essential to the
safe and competent practice of diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, and medical physics. The ABR is
one of 24 Member Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.