AIM Gout:
Assess • Improve • Measure
The ACR is pleased to offer its second Assess, Improve, Measure, or AIM as our newest practice improvement module, which focuses on gout.
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 3-4 months to complete, you may sit for the ABIM secure examination before or after completing the required 100 points.
Register for AIM:Gout
- Register for AIM:Gout
- If you have already registered, you can log in and go directly to the AIM:Gout Module
- View Target Timeline for AIM
- View Demonstration Module
Cost
AIM is free and available for ACR Members and 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 PIM@rheumatology.org or (404) 633-3777, ext. 338.
RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2008 reviewed September 2009
EXPIRATION DATE: July 1, 2012(this program will be re-reviewed at this time to be renewed)
Activity Description
AIM, the 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 Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- assess current practice performance through the analysis of patient data
- design a specific improvement plan to address identified performance gaps
- implement a conscious performance improvement in the identified measures using developed strategies with appropriate patients, in daily practice
- critically assess the effectiveness of performance improvement efforts
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.
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.
Accreditation Statement
The American College of Rheumatology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians
Designation Statement
The ACR designates this PI CME for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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.
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 Gout 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: Gout Development Faculty
Conflict of Interest/ Disclosure Statements
As an educational provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) it is the ACR’s policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. Faculty participating in an ACR-sponsored activity must disclose to the planning committee and audience any financial or other relationship(s) including, but not limited to:
- Stock, stock options or bond holdings in a for-profit corporation or self-directed pension plan
- Research grants
- Employment (full or part-time)
- Ownership or partnership
- Consulting fees or other remuneration (payment)
- Non-remunerative positions of influence such as officer, board member, trustee or public spokesperson
- Receipt of royalties
- Speakers’ bureau
- Other
Faculty disclosures listed apply in numeric format according to the list above. In accordance with ACR policy an individual who refuses to disclose relevant financial relationships will be disqualified from being a planning committee member, a teacher, or an author of CME, and cannot have control of, or responsibility for the development, management, presentation or evaluation of the CME activity.
The faculty reported the following disclosures:
Audrey Uknis, MD, Chair
Temple University School of Medicine
Philadelphia, PA
- Biogen-Idec, Roche: 2, 5
M. Anthony Albornoz, MD
Darby, PA
- Abbott: 8
Alan Epstein, MD
Pennsylvania Hospital, Rheumatology
Philadelphia, PA
- Eli Lilly: 2
Steve Magid, MD
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, NY
- Nothing to disclose
Michele Meltzer, MD
Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA
- Merck: 8
Julianne Orlowski, DO
Center for Arthritis
Chesapeake, VA
- Pfizer: 1
Stuart Schneller, MD
Boston, MA
- Abbott: 8
John RP Tesser, MD
Arizona Arthritis Rheum Assoc
Paradise Valley, AZ
- Americus: 1; Amgen Inc. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Glaxo Smith Kline: 8
