Report of the representatives on the American board of radiology from the American society of therapeutic radiologists

Abstract

Since the last report from the Trustees of the American Board of Radiology representing the American Society of Therapeutic Radiologists, there have been two written examinations conducted, on 9-10 October 1980 and on lo-11 September 1981. For the examination given in October, 1980, there were 142 candidates sitting for the written examination. Of that number 109 passed the examination in therapeutic radiology and 33 failed, including three who were taking the written examination for the third time. Of the 109 who passed the examination, 82 passed radiation physics and radiation biology. There were 13 candidates who passed the examination but failed in radiation physics and passed radiation biology, eight who passed physics but failed radiation biology and six who failed both physics and radiation biology. By the rules that were in force at that particular time, those individuals who passed either physics and/or radiation biology were required to take an oral examination in radiation physics and/or in radiation biology at the time that they took the written examination. The written examination given in September, 1981, operated under the same rules that were in force at the time of the 1980 examination. The performance of the 132 candidates who took the 198 1 therapeutic radiology examination was evaluated on the total test and on the subtest in physics and radiation biology. Eighty-two candidates (62%) passed the total test and the two subtests. There were 22 candidates (17%) who failed all three parts of the examination. One hundred and eight candidates (82%) passed the total test, 88 (67%) passed the physics subtest, and 92 (70%) passed the radiation biology subtest. Among the candidates who passed the total test, 22 failed the physics subtest and 16 failed the radiation biology subtest. Among the candidates who failed the total test, two passed the physics subtest and none passed the radiation biology subtest. The oral examination was given in Louisville, Kentucky, from l-5 June 1981. There were a total of 159 candidates for the examination in therapeutic radiology. Of that number 87 were candidates who were new to the oral examination and had passed physics, 14 were new to the oral examination and had failed physics, 21 were re-examinees who had passed physics, five were reexaminees who had failed physics, nine were new to the oral examination but had failed radiation biology, one was a re-examinee who had failed radiation biology, four were new to the oral examination but had failed both radiation biology and physics, and two were re-examinees who had failed radiation biology and physics, with 16 candidates repeating examinations because of a condition in one of the six categories of the examination. Of that number, 83 passed the examination and were certified by the American Board of Radiology, including 14 who had conditioned in the past and who removed the condition by a repeat examination. From 31 May 1982 through 4 June 1982, 181 candidates were examined in therapeutic radiology by the American Board of Radiology at their Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. Of those taking the examination, 78 failed the entire examination or conditioned in one of the subjects in which they were examined. This gives a failure rate for the 1982 oral examination of 43% for those who failed the examination or a portion of the examination. The American Board of Radiology is constantly striving to make appropriate contributions to radiology. Since the last report there have been many changes made which relate directly to the manner in which the examination is given for certification in therapeutic radiology. Most of these changes have been conveyed to program directors by way of the newsletters sent to them by the President of the American Board of Radiology. Among the changes are the following: