NRC AU-Eligible: ABR Update Mickey Guiberteau, MD, FACR, FACNM Trustee, American Board of Radiology

NRC AU-Eligible: ABR Update

Mickey Guiberteau, MD, FACR, FACNM

Trustee, American Board of Radiology

ABR CertificatesABR Certificates“AU-Eligible”“AU-Eligible”

AU-E Status is a value to DiplomatesAU-E Status is a value to Diplomates

Certification Pathway to NRC AU StatusCertification Pathway to NRC AU Status

AU Enduring – Can Last an Entire CareerAU Enduring – Can Last an Entire Career

But, Process to AU-Eligibility Can ChangeBut, Process to AU-Eligibility Can Change

ABR AU-Eligible ProcessABR AU-Eligible ProcessFactors Necessitating ChangeFactors Necessitating Change

Changes by the NRCChanges by the NRC– Enhanced Recognition of ABR ProcessEnhanced Recognition of ABR Process

Changes by ABR in Certification Changes by ABR in Certification ProcessProcess– Format of the ExaminationsFormat of the Examinations– Timing of ProcessTiming of Process

I. Changes by the I. Changes by the NRCNRC

Change by the NRC:Change by the NRC:Enhanced Recognition of ABR Enhanced Recognition of ABR

CertificatesCertificates §35.290 §35.290 Imaging and Localization Imaging and Localization

StudiesStudies

§35.392 §35.392 Low-Dose I-131 TherapyLow-Dose I-131 Therapy

( ( ≤ 33 mCi - 1.22 GBq)≤ 33 mCi - 1.22 GBq)

NEW!NEW! §35.394 §35.394 High Dose I-131 TherapyHigh Dose I-131 Therapy

( ( > 33 mCi)> 33 mCi) – – Effective June 2011Effective June 2011

ABR Certificate Recognition by ABR Certificate Recognition by NRC NRC “High Dose” I-131 Tx “High Dose” I-131 Tx

SurveySurvey Prior Survey of Dx Rad Programs Prior Survey of Dx Rad Programs

(187)(187) 183 Responses183 Responses

– 90% Can Provide Training 90% Can Provide Training – 4 Programs Cannot Arrange Training 4 Programs Cannot Arrange Training

Majority Already Providing TrainingMajority Already Providing Training– Prior to 2005Prior to 2005

NRC Recognized ABRNRC Recognized ABR

ABR I-131 Therapy RequirementsABR I-131 Therapy Requirements “AU-E” Elevation to High-Dose Tx “AU-E” Elevation to High-Dose Tx

ABR Form AABR Form A– Attestation to NRC T&E (Attestation to NRC T&E (§35.392 &§35.392 & 35.39435.394))

ABR Form BABR Form B– 3 cases of Low-dose Therapy3 cases of Low-dose Therapy– 3 cases of High-dose Therapy3 cases of High-dose Therapy

2011 Exams will include 2011 Exams will include – Low-dose Therapy (Low-dose Therapy (≤ 33 mCi) ≤ 33 mCi) ((§35.392 )§35.392 )– High-dose Therapy (> 33 mCi) (High-dose Therapy (> 33 mCi) (§ 35.394)§ 35.394)

NRC AU-Eligibility on Certificates NRC AU-Eligibility on Certificates (June (June 2011)2011)– Low Dose I-131 TherapyLow Dose I-131 Therapy– High Dose I-131TherapyHigh Dose I-131Therapy

II. Changes by ABRII. Changes by ABR

Change by the ABR:Change by the ABR:Future ABR Examination Future ABR Examination FormatFormat

Examination of the FutureExamination of the Future– Oral Oral Examination Examination Certifying Certifying ExaminationExamination– AU-E Content must be re-positionedAU-E Content must be re-positioned

““AU-EAU-E” Computer-Based Exam” Computer-Based Exam (2013)(2013)– Administered at Time of Core Exam (R-Administered at Time of Core Exam (R-

Yr-3)Yr-3)– Separate from the Core ExaminationSeparate from the Core Examination– ~50 Questions related to Radiation ~50 Questions related to Radiation

Safety, Safe Handling, NRC Curriculum Safety, Safe Handling, NRC Curriculum

ABR AU-Eligible Process ABR AU-Eligible Process Computer-Based Computer-Based AU-EAU-E Exam Exam

Purpose of the ExaminationPurpose of the Examination– Demonstrate Mastery of Radioisotope Demonstrate Mastery of Radioisotope

SafetySafety– Must Pass for AU-Eligible CertificateMust Pass for AU-Eligible Certificate

There Will Be ”Make-up” ExaminationsThere Will Be ”Make-up” Examinations

No “AU-E “ Questions on Certifying ExamNo “AU-E “ Questions on Certifying Exam

Change by the ABR:Change by the ABR: Future ABR Examination Future ABR Examination TimingTiming

EnterEnter Core EndCore End CertifyingCertifying

Residency Exam Residency Residency Exam Residency ExamExam

____________________3 yrs 3 yrs ________1 yr ___________15 1 yr ___________15

momo

AU-E ExamAU-E Exam NoNo AU-EAU-E

ABR AU-Eligible Process ABR AU-Eligible Process 15-Month Gap - Residency/Au 15-Month Gap - Residency/Au

EligibilityEligibility NRC Advisory Committee (ACMUI)NRC Advisory Committee (ACMUI)

– Considered the Issue in 2009Considered the Issue in 2009 Recommendation: “AU-E” feasible, if -Recommendation: “AU-E” feasible, if -

– 1. Successful Core Exam Completion1. Successful Core Exam Completion– 2. Pass Radioisotope Safety Examination2. Pass Radioisotope Safety Examination– 3. Completion of Residency 3. Completion of Residency

NRC Awaits Specific Proposal From NRC Awaits Specific Proposal From ABRABR

III. AU-E Special CasesIII. AU-E Special Cases

ABR AU-Eligible ProcessABR AU-Eligible ProcessAlternate Pathway CandidatesAlternate Pathway Candidates

Lack of ACGME - Accredited Residency ProgramLack of ACGME - Accredited Residency Program

No AU-E Certificates will be awardedNo AU-E Certificates will be awarded

But, Exemption may be requested, case-by caseBut, Exemption may be requested, case-by case

– Depends on willingness of department to train & Depends on willingness of department to train & attestattest

– Forms A & B requiredForms A & B required– May Receive a Certificate with AU-E May Receive a Certificate with AU-E

ABR AU-Eligible ProcessABR AU-Eligible ProcessABNM Certified CandidatesABNM Certified Candidates

Dx Rad ResidentsDx Rad Residents– Prior ABNM CertificationPrior ABNM Certification

Achieved AU-Eligible status by ABNMAchieved AU-Eligible status by ABNM

May be granted exemptionMay be granted exemption– Forms A & B Forms A & B notnot Required Required– Will Receive Certificate without AU-EWill Receive Certificate without AU-E

But, Exemption is not RequiredBut, Exemption is not Required– Can Received Certificate with AU-E Can Received Certificate with AU-E – Forms A & B required Forms A & B required

Thank You.