COVID-19 NEWS
NEW! ACGME and AOA Make Joint Statement Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic
The ACGME and the AOA are working together to address the concerns of residents and fellows about their Board eligibility during a time of disruption in their education and training. The organizations are providing this statement of joint principles to help clarify for residents/fellows and programs the issues related to board certification that have arisen through the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the Full Statement in the ACGME Newsroom
NEW! ACGME Sponsoring Institution Idea Exchange
The ACGME has developed the Sponsoring Institution Idea Exchange on the Learn at ACGME platform to assist designated institutional officials (DIOs) and institutional coordinators as their Sponsoring Institutions respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to providing ACGME resources relevant to the pandemic, the Idea Exchange is a mechanism for Sponsoring Institutions to share ideas and practices with one another. Recently posted resources are related to supervision, emergency preparedness, infection protection, and competency assessment.
The ACGME is also looking for new approaches to resident/fellow orientation in 2020 to include in the Idea Exchange. DIOs and institutional coordinators are encouraged to consider sharing their own insights and approaches in this venue.
Email questions, comments, and submissions to SI.Idea@acgme.org.
NEW! New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Article Highlights Ways to Protect Clinician Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A national strategy to prevent a parallel pandemic of clinician well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak rests on five high-priority actions, according to an article co-authored by ACGME President and CEO Thomas J. Nasca, MD, MACP.
Read about the Article in the ACGME Newsroom
NEW! Clarifications and Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs are being developed in response to questions and requests for clarification the ACGME has received as it has communicated its response to the current pandemic crisis. View the FAQs on the Frequently Asked Questions page in the COVID-19 section of the ACGME website.
Resident/Fellow Issues
Q: What is the ACGME’s guidance regarding residents/fellows refusing assignments related to COVID-19 patient care?
A: As stated in another FAQ, assignments and reassignments of residents/fellows to other rotations or forms of clinical work can occur at the direction and approval of the program director and the DIO. Such assignments would occur depending on local circumstances to address care and support needs, likely as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Per the ACGME’s guidance on this subject, prior to starting such an assignment, residents/fellows must receive appropriate safety and clinical training specific to the assignment and setting, and during the assignment, they must have appropriate supervision at all times and must adhere to work hour requirements. As an accreditor, the ACGME cannot and does not intervene in disputes between individual residents/fellows and their programs, but the ACGME has established and reiterated these requirements to convey clearly that these must be followed to protect patients, residents/fellows, and supervising physicians, as well as the education of the residents/fellows. Violation of these requirements can result in negative consequences for all involved, including at the accreditation level at the time of the program’s next review.
ACGME Program/Institutional Requirements
Q: Since many professional meetings were canceled due to COVID-19, if abstracts and posters authored by faculty members, residents, and fellows were accepted but not presented, should they count these toward scholarly activity requirements in the Annual Update?
A: Yes. As long as the scholarly work was accepted and planned to be presented, it is acceptable to list as scholarly activity for both residents/fellows and faculty members.
Letters to the Specialty Communities
A page in the COVID-19 section of the ACGME website includes letters to the specialty communities from the ACGME Review Committees and their staff and leadership. Letters to the following communities are currently available:
Anesthesiology
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
NEW! Nuclear Medicine
Pediatrics
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Preventive Medicine
Radiology
Radiation Oncology
Surgical specialties and subspecialties, including Case Log Guidance
Transitional Year
ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
NEW! Call for Sessions Now Open for 2021 Annual Educational Conference
During and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-being and safety of the graduate medical education community and the public is the ACGME's top priority. Right now, the ACGME is moving ahead with the 2021 Annual Educational Conference in Nashville as planned. Recognizing that the pandemic may continue to impact in-person events, the ACGME will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves. Updated information, including any changes to format or timing, will be posted on the ACGME website, in the weekly e-Communication, and on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The Call for Sessions for the 2021 Annual Educational Conference is now open! Session proposals are being accepted for both the Educational Conference and the Coordinator Forum Pre-Conference.
Learn More and Submit a Proposal
Proposals Due: Friday, June 26, 2020 11:59 p.m. Central
Questions?
Coordinator Forum Pre-Conference: coordinatorforum@acgme.org
Annual Educational Conference: acgmeconference@acgme.org
REVIEW AND COMMENT
NEW! Program Requirements and Recognition Requirements for Review and Comment
The following Program Requirements and Recognition Requirements and accompanying Impact Statements are posted for review and comment, here:
Diagnostic Radiology
Interventional Radiology
Neuroradiology
Nuclear Medicine
Comment Deadline: July 1, 2020
ACGME NEWS
ACGME Announces Diversity and Inclusion Award for 2021
The ACGME is proud to announce the Diversity and Inclusion Award, a new award to support efforts to achieve diversity and inclusion in graduate medical education (GME).
The COVID-19 crisis has reinforced data showing that underrepresented minorities are the victims of systemic inequality. Eliminating disparities in health care requires a commitment from all-even, and especially, during times of crisis. This annual award will highlight the most innovative and exemplary initiatives that drive diversity in GME.
Read more about the award, including instructions for submitting a nomination
Nominations are due Friday, July 17, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. Central.
NEW! New Milestones Implementation Guide Available
The Guidebook for Implementing and Changing Assessment in the Milestones Era is now available on the Milestones Resources page. Key topics include application of change management to Milestones and assessment, what to expect post-implementation, and examples of action process models.
Email questions to milestones@acgme.org.
REVIEW AND RECOGNITION COMMITTEE NEWS - NOTICES
NEW! Ophthalmology
Case Log Update
CPT Code 0402T (corneal cross-linking) and CPT Code 66183 (shunting/drainage device without extraocular reservoir) are now being tracked in the Case Log System. CPT Code 0402T is mapped to the minimum category of Pterygium/Conjunctival and Other Cornea. CPT Code 66183 is mapped to the minimum category of Glaucoma–Filtering/Shunting Procedures.
These changes are retroactive and cases previously logged using CPT Code 0402T or 66183 will now count towards meeting their respective minimum.
Email questions to Associate Executive Director Tina Espina.
NEW! Surgery
Pediatric Surgery Case Minimums Updated
The Review Committee has revised the case minimum requirements for Pediatric Surgery effective for graduates academic year 2020-2021. The defined category minimum numbers and mappings for pediatric surgery are posted under Case Log Information on the Documents and Resources page in the Surgery section of the ACGME website.
REVIEW AND RECOGNITION COMMITTEE NEWS - NOMINATIONS
NEW! ACGME Seeks Resident Members
The following Review Committees are seeking their next resident member for terms beginning July 1, 2021. The Review Committee's selected nominee will be presented for approval by the ACGME Board of Directors at its September 2020 meeting. The new resident member's term will be from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.
PATHOLOGY
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited pathology program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Details and nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Katherine McCue
Deadline: July 31, 2020
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited preventive medicine program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Details and nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Katherine McCue
Deadline: July 31, 2020