Dear AuntMinnie Member,
We're pleased to announce this week the launch of Second Take, a new series of point/counterpoint discussions on important topics in radiology.
Our first edition of Second Take tackles the touchy subject of radiology board recalls. Radiology residents have long used recalled questions from past board exams to prepare for their tests, but the American Board of Radiology (ABR) is aggressively trying to stamp out the practice.
Dr. Jason Itri of the University of Pittsburgh takes the position that the use of exam recalls is no different than exam preparation for tests such as the SAT or USMLE, where test review courses based on past questions are widely utilized. He makes a modest proposal for improving the board exam that he believes will meet the needs of both the ABR and test takers; read about it by clicking here.
The response to Dr. Itri's argument comes from Dr. Saurabh Jha of the University of Pennsylvania, who takes the position that groups like the ABR are justified in cracking down on the use of board recalls.
If the public perception is that radiologists are cheating to pass their board exams, then radiology has an image problem, regardless of whether the perception is accurate or not. Therefore, professional organizations like the ABR are correct in trying to stop the use of board recalls -- even if the effort may be unfair or even futile.
Read more about the debate in our Residents Digital Community by clicking here, or post your comment in our Residents Forum.
Another run at Stark law
U.S. legislators are taking another run at the in-office ancillary services exception in the Stark law, the federal law that prohibits physicians from referring patients to entities in which they have a financial interest.
The Stark law has long included provisions that enable doctors to conduct medical imaging and other services in their offices, under the idea that such services are more convenient for patients. But opponents of the exception see it as a loophole that encourages nonradiologist physicians to order unnecessary scans, driving up utilization and healthcare costs.
At a press conference today, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) revealed new legislation, the Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act, that would remove imaging from the in-office exemption. Radiology proponents are lining up behind the bill, but will it suffer the same fate as previous attempts to reform Stark? Read more by clicking here.
Minnies at midpoint
Finally, we're nearing the halfway mark in the Minnies, AuntMinnie.com's annual event recognizing excellence in radiology. Have you nominated anyone yet? If not, get thee to minnies.auntminnie.com, and let us know about a colleague, product, or service that you believe deserves recognition.
