The American Board of Radiology is looking to open lines of communication with the imaging field to bolster transparency, leaders revealed recently.
ABR hired an outside consultant to conduct a series of interviews with radiology thought leaders and others familiar with its offerings. The results revealed a wide range of descriptors for the Tucson, Arizona-based doc-certification group. Those included “credible” and “trustworthy” on the positive side, along with “paternalistic” and “self-serving” on the negative, Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, wrote in ABR’s The Beam publication.
Following the results, ABR is launching initiatives to help it be more responsive to the needs of candidates and diplomates.
“The report repeatedly reminded board members that there is still much work to do in improving transparency while developing the depth and breadth of our communications,” Wagner wrote.
ABR Board of Governors President Vincent Mathews, MD, on Monday detailed two new initiatives launched in response to these concerns. The board is currently distributing a voluntary communications survey to candidates and diplomates, its first in more than five years. Responses will remain anonymous, with ABR using the results to fine-tune its communication methods, frequency, and customization options. Candidates and diplomates have until Friday, Feb. 18, to submit their responses.
Meanwhile, ABR is also launching a series of video town halls to hear from the field “in person.” The first is slated for Monday, Feb. 21, on the topic of continuing certification, with three more to follow on initial certification for each specialty on Feb. 22 (radiation oncology), 23 (medical physics) and 24 (diagnostic radiology). Each will include an initial update followed by a moderated chat addressing several questions and comments.
“The input we receive in such discussions is extremely important because it not only reminds us of the ‘illusion’ of communication, but also provides diverse perspectives that refocus our discussions and related efforts,” Mathews wrote Feb. 14. “We look forward to hearing your opinions,” he added later.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.