The American Osteopathic Board of Radiology (AOBR) is the first DO certifying board to cut the high-stakes test and revise CME requirements. These features are part of the board’s initiative to pilot a new format for cognitive assessment.

Highlights of the pilot program include:

• Diplomates whose certificate expires in 2019 will not need to take the 10-year OCC examination.
• Cutting the number of required CME hours in half to 60 CME credits from the previous 120 CME credits in the specialty over the course of the three year AOA CME cycle.

“Radiology is one of the first to address its diplomates’ concerns with OCC. Its physician leadership concluded that a high-stakes test every decade was a significant pain point that didn’t demonstrably improve patient care,” says Dan Williams, DO, AOA vice president for certifying boards.

The 18 AOA certifying boards have a mandate to evolve board certification to ensure that it reinforces and continues osteopathic training, says AOA President Mark A. Baker, DO.

“AOA board certification keeps DOs connected to the osteopathic philosophy of whole-person care that many embrace in their practices. Our diplomates have a strong sense of community and collaborate to improve patient care and maintain a standard of excellence. The changes underway will ensure that board certification enhances their careers through meaningful, highly relevant learning opportunities,” Dr. Baker explains.

This article was originally published on The DO.