title: Quality initiatives: measuring and managing the procedural competency of radiologists.
abstract: Many regulatory and oversight groups require that the professional performance of radiologists be evaluated on an ongoing basis. Although the diagnostic accuracy of radiologists is routinely measured at most institutions by means of peer review processes, systems for evaluating procedural competency are not widely available. Consequently, technical skills are seldom, if ever, evaluated or managed. The key elements of a system for evaluating procedural competency include the following: (a) clear definition of all elements of a transparent evaluation process; (b) definition of standards for training and credentialing and options for maintenance of competency certification in interventional procedures; (c) collection and analysis of process and outcomes metrics; (d) multisource feedback on procedural, patient care, and safety skills; and (e) an effective, anonymous process for managing radiologists in whom deficiencies are identified. Although no ideal system for evaluating procedural competency currently exists, inclusion of these elements goes a long way toward facilitating the introduction of a simple process for providing appropriate feedback to procedural radiologists, acknowledging excellence, and identifying and managing deficiencies if they occur.
authors: Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. mishall@rad.hfh.edu
authors: Mishal
authors: M
authors: Mendiratta-Lala
authors: Ronald L
authors: RL
authors: Eisenberg
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Steele
authors: Phillip M
authors: PM
authors: Boiselle
authors: Jonathan B
authors: JB
authors: Kruskal
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000592:standards; D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003406:Credentialing / Q000592:standards*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D015969:National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010380:Peer Review; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D012073:Remedial Teaching; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States