Review and Comment on the PP&TS Through Sept. 26

In this issue, Drew M. Caplin, MD, FACR, FSIR, Chair of the Committee on Practice Parameters and Technical Standards (PP&TS) discusses how the PP&TS promote the safe and effective use of diagnostic and therapeutic radiology by describing specific training, skills and techniques. The ACR® periodically defines new and revises existing PP&TS for radiologic practice to help advance the science of radiology and improve the quality of service to patients throughout the United States.

What is the role of the PP&TS in helping radiology practices improve the quality and safety of patient care?

Dr. Caplin: The PP&TS documents are educational tools designed to assist practitioners in providing appropriate radiological care for patients. The goal is to assist practitioners in following a reasonable course of action based on current knowledge, available resources and the needs of the patient to deliver effective and safe medical care. 

The PP&TS are collaborative, expert-consensus documents that narrow variability among radiology practices and provide guidance to achieve quality in radiology. If radiology practices consistently follow these documents, we can be assured, as much as possible, that we'll have uniform quality of service. So whether a patient presents at an academic center in a big city, a rural practice or a private practice, we can ensure that the quality of service doesn't vary. Patients and referring physicians can have confidence that they're going to get a high-quality examination and high-quality interpretation no matter where they go. 

What is the PP&TS field review process and how does it work? 

Dr. Caplin: Each PP&TS document has undergone a thorough consensus process and extensive review. After completion of the initial draft or revision of a PP&TS document, it undergoes field review — the process where the draft document is available for any ACR member and collaborating society to provide comments. All PP&TS must complete field review before being considered for adoption by the ACR. 

Field review is the way for every member of the College to make their voice heard and provide their unique commentary based on how they practice. It gives people an opportunity to reflect on the documents and how they relate to their experience. If you agree with it, that's great. And if you don't agree with it, we really need to hear from you.

Who should participate in the field review process? 

Dr. Caplin: Everyone in radiology should use these documents to better understand why we do things the way we do and to learn about new developments and current best practices in particular procedures or modalities. The PP&TS represent an ongoing opportunity for career development and education, ensuring that radiological procedures are based on the most current best practices. If members of a practice think their processes are more current than the documents, the field review gives them an opportunity to frame the narrative in the future. 

What is the effect when more members participate in the field review?

Dr. Caplin: It gives the College the ability to say that these documents truly represent the membership and the specialty at large. So the greater the percentage of participation, the greater our ability to say that these reflect the way things should be done. Having a large, diverse swath of the College participating ensures that we are as inclusive as possible in addressing the concerns of different practice paradigms. In radiology, things are constantly changing and evolving. The more voices you have, the more likely it is that we’re going to get input that really sparks change.

What are the benefits to radiologists in participating?

Dr. Caplin: On the most personal level, it’s pride. It’s the opportunity to make a difference. Depending on your career setting and your career aspirations, participating in the PP&TS process can be helpful for recognition, for networking, for your CV. When I was a third-year resident, my program director volunteered me for a committee. He felt strongly that everyone should be involved in organized radiology — whether locally, statewide or nationally — to keep the specialty strong. I found that, as you get more involved, responsibility increases along with the understanding of how impactful the College is to the specialty. A valuable byproduct of the work is all the cool people you get to meet and interact with and learn from. That's a personal benefit that pays dividends for a long time to come. 

What’s the future hold for the PP&TS and the field review process?

Dr. Caplin: In the future, it would be valuable to enable people to comment on the PP&TS continuously. When members are using the documents in real time and have an aha moment or idea, they can act on that immediately versus having to wait for the official field review window.

How can members participate in this year’s field review?

Dr. Caplin: We invite all ACR members to review and comment on the PP&TS documents that will be presented at the 2026 annual meeting. Draft documents are available for comment during the field review process until Sept. 26 via the online commenting tool.