The American Board of Radiology of Tucson, AZ, is changing the structure of its annual oral board certification to move to a format of computer-based exams that are administered after candidates complete their residencies.
Currently, the boards are administered orally to fourth-year radiology residents who travel to Louisville, KY, for testing. The 2008 oral boards are scheduled for Louisville May 31-June 3.
In a notice on its Web site dated October 26, the ABR said that under the new structure the final certifying exam would be administered 15 months after the completion of a residency in diagnostic radiology, typically in September/October. Rather than requiring candidates to take the test in Louisville, the exam would be administered through commercial examination centers.
The ABR said the exam would be computer-based and rich in images, and "will be tailored to reflect the training emphasis, experience, and the corresponding planned practice emphasis of the individual resident, who will be allowed to specify up to four areas of concentration." The areas of concentration will not constitute the entire exam, and every test will include material pertinent to all diagnostic radiologists.
The ABR said the changes will not affect residents currently in training, but will impact residents entering diagnostic radiology training in the near future, such as the classes of 2009, 2010, and 2011, depending on the readiness of the new exams.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
October 29, 2007
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