ACR Commission on Small and/or Rural Practices
Background Information
In the August 1997 ACR Bulletin, Dr. Evens announced the formation of a task force with a charge "to develop a plan to identify the special needs of those of you practicing in small groups or in rural areas ... anticipate this task force will eventually become a commission chaired by a member of the BOC." At the ACR annual meeting in September 1997, Dr. Evens appointed the task force members with Dr. James Borgstede as the chair.
Purpose of the Small and Rural Commission
The purpose of this commission is to serve patients better by improving the quality of practice of radiologists practicing in small groups and/or in rural areas. This will be accomplished by promoting small and rural practice radiologists to apply for and receive ACR accreditation, improve internal communications within the ACR small and rural membership, assist small and rural practices in adapting to a changing socio-economic environment and expanding presence of small and rural practices in ACR's government relations activities.
Charge of the Commission on Small and Rural Practices
This commission will be a specialty commission represented on the Board of Chancellors. This commission is the primary resource for the interaction with other commissions of those ACR members who are in small and rural practices. This commission will facilitate input to the ACR regarding the special needs of those individuals practicing in small groups or rural areas. The commission will communicate collected information and developed proposals to small and rural practices and other commissions as appropriate.
Definition of Small and Rural Diagnostic Radiology Practices and Small and Rural Radiation Oncology Practices
A small and rural diagnostic radiology practice is defined as five or less FTEs in an economically independent practice. Small and rural radiation oncology practice is defined as three or less FTEs in an independent practice.
Issues That the ACR Can Facilitate for Small and Rural Practices
The commission will consider addressing issues such as accreditation and practice standards, teleradiology, managed care, continuing medical education, locums, equipment and human resource planning. The most common issue requiring ACR facilitation for small and rural practices is accreditation and practice standards. The task force understands the need to "provide high quality care by only those qualified physicians who practice in facilities that meet appropriate standards" as stated in the strategic plan. A commission on small and rural practice must address how small and rural practices will be able to achieve the case numbers, physician qualifications, equipment qualifications, and technologist qualifications, that the ACR set forth in both its practice standards and its accreditation programs. The Commission must address time considerations, financial considerations, and the use of an umbrella policy to assist small and rural practices in meeting accreditation programs.
Reassessment of Impact
The Small and Rural Practice Commission will regularly reassess its own relevance and ongoing impact by soliciting feedback from its constituency, other commissions, and the BOC. Goals have been defined for this commission and an annual assessment should occur to see that those goals are being met.
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Revised: 14 August, 2001