Practice Improvement Module

Assess • Improve • Measure

Rheumatoid Arthritis Practice Improvement Module

Due to changes in the recertification policies of the American Board of Internal Medicine, practice improvement modules, or PIMs, are required for an increasing number of physicians enrolled in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program. The MOC program requires physicians to obtain a total of 100 points to recertify. Twenty points must be obtained through a self-evaluation of practice performance module.

The ACR is pleased to offer Assess, Improve, Measure, or AIM, the new practice improvement module, which focuses on rheumatoid arthritis.

AIM is a Web-based self-evaluation of practice performance tool that provides guidance through medical chart abstraction of de-identified data. Each question in the AIM template relates directly to evidence-based quality measures and provides a cumulative, automated data report enabling physicians to:

Reflect on practice performance data
Identify practice strengths and areas for improvement
Develop and implement an improvement plan
Assess impact of practice changes through chart re-measurement
Report changes

Equipped with comprehensive data reports and templates for the development of the physician improvement plan and impact statement, AIM is designed for physicians engaged in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program or those interested in completing a quality improvement program.

Note that while AIM may take up to 9 months to complete, you may sit for the ABIM secure examination before or after completing the required 100 points. For additional information or with any questions, contact the ACR at , or (404) 633-3777, ext. 338.

Free for ACR Member and ACR Group Members in 2008
$199 Non Member
$259 Group Non Members

Note: The Demonstration Module has been created without the workflow requirements enabling a review of each component of AIM without completing the previous section. The actual program does not work this way.

AIM offers up to 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 20 self-evaluation of practice performance points in the MOC program.

To receive ABIM MOC points towards recertification, you MUST be enrolled with the ABIM prior to beginning the module. If you’re not currently enrolled in the MOC program or have questions about the program, visit ABIM.

For additional information or with any questions, contact the ACR at , or (404) 633-3777, ext. 822.

About the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)

The ACR is an organization of physicians, health professionals and scientists serving members through programs, including education and research. Through educational programs, the ACR fosters excellence in the care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. This activity is sponsored by the ACR for educational purposes only. Assess, Improve, Measure or AIM was planned and implemented under the supervision of the ACR’s Committee on Education, the ACR Continuing Professional Development Subcommittee, and the Practice Improvement Module Development Faculty.

CME Accreditation Statement

The American College of Rheumatology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Medical Association has determined that physicians not licensed in the US who participate in this CME activity are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Credit Designation Statement

The ACR designates AIM for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 credits ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

The ACR offers 20 self-evaluation of practice performance points in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program for those physicians completing the program.

AIM: Rheumatoid Arthritis was last reviewed on February 15, 2007 and released on March 1, 2007.

AIM: Rheumatoid Arthritis expires on February 28, 2010.

How to Obtain CME Credits

To receive CME credit for this activity you must complete each component of the AIM template and complete the CME activity evaluation. After completing the activity evaluation, your CME certificate will be available to download and print from your computer.

The CME certificate will also be available in the Reports link at the top navigation bar.

This activity will take up to 20 hours to complete.

Activity Description

AIM, the first ACR practice improvement module, is a Web-based self-evaluation of practice performance tool that provides guidance through medical chart abstraction of de-identified data. Each question in AIM relates directly to evidence-based quality measures and provides an automated cumulative data report enabling physicians to:

Reflect on practice performance data
Identify practice strengths and areas for improvement
Develop and implement an improvement plan
Assess impact of changes through chart re-measurement
Report changes

Target Audience

The target audience for this activity is physicians who are seeking a quality improvement tool or those engaged in the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification program.

AIM Educational Objectives

AIM will allow physicians to assess their practice performance via chart audits, enable physicians to develop and implement an improvement plan based on areas identified for improvement, and complete a re-measurement to assess impact of changes. Physicians will evaluate their experience and complete the impact statement, signifying the completion of the module.

ACR Disclaimers

Use of Professional Judgment
AIM, including all educational links and accompanying templates, is intended to be used as a tool to assess practice performance. The information presented relates to evidence-based quality indicators. Quality indicators as identified present the minimum standards of treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis and in no way are meant to substitute for an individual patient assessment based upon the healthcare provider’s examination of the patient and consideration of laboratory data and other factors unique to the patient.

Drugs and Doses
When prescribing medications, the physician is advised to check the product information sheet accompanying each drug to verify conditions of use and to identify any changes in drug dosage schedule of contraindications.

ACR Disclosure

The American College of Rheumatology is an independent, professional organization that does not endorse specific procedures or products of any pharmaceutical/biotech concern.

ACR Policy on Privacy

Read the ACR Policy on Privacy

ACR System Requirements

Browser

Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.01 and higher (IE 5.5 or higher recommended)

Operating System

Windows (recommended)
Macintosh

Internet Connection

Broadband connection (DSL, cable or T1) recommended
While it is in the best interest of participants to take the exam through a broadband connection (DSL, cable or T1) rather than through a much slower dial-up connection, it is not an absolute requirement. Please realize that a dial-up connection may slow down the examination process.

Screen Resolution

800 x 600 or better
1024 x 768 is preferred

AIM: Rheumatoid Arthritis Practice Improvement Module Development Faculty

Audrey B. Uknis, MD, Chair
Alan L. Epstein, MD
Alan K. Matsumoto, MD
Stuart J. Schneller, MD
John RP Tesser, MD

View professional affiliation and disclosure information