April 25, 2008 - The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) launched its Performance Assessment for the Advancement of Radiation Oncology Treatment (PAAROT) program on April 1 as a way for ASTRO members to satisfy the American Board of Radiology’s Maintenance of Certification program requirements.
PAAROT was fully qualified as meeting the ABR’s criteria for a Type-2 Practice Quality Improvement project in Oct. 2007, and aims to allow participating physicians to analyze their strengths and areas that need improvement, as well as receive feedback on where specific changes can be made in their practices — all online. A practice inventory will then be compiled from which participants will select a minimum of one area to improve upon, which will be the focus of their PQI project.
Radiation oncologists are required to complete three PQI projects during a 10-year period to satisfy the Part IV requirements of the ABR-MOC program. At least one of the three PQI projects must be a Type-2 project, such as the PAAROT program. These courses are only required for radiation oncologists with time-limited certificates that were first issued by the ABR in 1995. However, all practicing radiation oncologists are encouraged to participate in MOC.
PAAROT is available free to ASTRO members through Dec. 31, 2008.
For more information: www.astro.org