Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions about all PIMs

How do I begin the PIM?

To get started earning Part 4 credit by completing the PIM, please log in to your "My ABP Portfolio" account. After logging in, follow the links for:

  • My MOC Requirements
  • Search Activities
  • Search Part 4
  • Select American Board of Pediatrics in the sponsor field
  • Search Approved Activities
  • Click on ADHD PIM from the listing then the “Launch Activity” button
Is there a fee to participate?

No. The PIM is included in the MOC enrollment fee.

I launched the PIM demo, but it says “You are not currently logged in and will not receive credit”. Why?

To earn MOC credit for completing the PIM you must launch the activity from the PIM Activity Profile page. Viewing the demo does not signify starting the PIM.

Is the PIM HIPAA Compliant?

Yes. The data entered into the PIM is de–identified — meaning no patient specific information,such as name or DOB can be entered into the module. If you choose to, you may securely dispose of the visit form after the data is entered into the PIM, just like any other piece of information that may contain confidential information. The ABP will not ask for copies of the actual visit form and only uses aggregate data to monitor whether the module as a whole has improved care. Physicians can download their own data at any time should they wish, for instance to create a registry. The PIM is not a research project or part of a study, but is a tool to help pediatricians improve care.

General Questions about this PIM

Can I use the resources in the PIM for educational sessions with my staff?

Yes. Any material on the links should be in the public domain and available for non-commercial use.

Can I use any valid screening tool?

Yes. The PIM assumes the use of any standardized and validated screening tool. If you are currently using a validated screening tool, different from the one used in the PIM, it is acceptable to answer the question if you are using a valid screening tool with a “yes.”

Do I have to use the same patients to complete the PIM?

No. You do not need to use the same patients.

A cycle can include any patients you see in your practice. If you see the patient more than once, you can use that as a second encounter and provide them with another form prior to being seen for the second or third time.

What if I do not individually see enough patients with ADHD to complete the PIM?

The care that patients receive often includes care delivered by a number of pediatricians including pediatric subspecialists. (See the section on participating in a group to improve care). ADHD subspecialists can be part of a group and data on patients seen in conjunction with a subspecialist can be entered into the Improvement Module. For example, data entered on a patient can include care provided by a subspecialist if the patient is also seen by you for the same condition. Therefore, if a PIM measure was being performed by a subspecialist, like growth measurements for a patient with ADHD, those measures can be entered by you into the PIM data form and recorded. If the data suggests that care can be improved, changes can be made in conjunction with the subspecialist. In the above examples, if the PIM data suggested that both of those measures were being done less frequently that expected or desired you might begin to do both growth measurements and spirometry in your office to improve care.

However, Pediatricians concerned they do not have an adequate number of patients to complete this module should consider choosing one of the other activities offered for Part 4 Maintenance of Certification credit.

Certification

How much CME credit is provided?

CME for the ADHD PIM is 20.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™ and they must be claimed by . To claim CME, after completing the PIM, click on the “Print CME Certificate” link that will appear on the PIM Home Page. This link will only appear after you complete 3 cycles of the PIM. However, if simulated data is used to complete the PIM, no CME credit can be claimed.

Is there a restriction on how long you can participate once started?

Yes.

All PIMs expire three years from the date they are introduced. The PIM will not accept data after the expiration date, so you must complete the PIM before the expiration date in order to receive MOC credit. You must also complete the PIM within your current MOC cycle in order to receive MOC credit and have it applied towards your Part 4 Performance in Practice requirement. Your exact MOC cycle dates may be reviewed within your online Portfolio account by clicking the link for “My MOC Requirements”.

Does my certificate expiration date determine when I can start the PIM?

No. The important date is when the PIM was completed. The PIM must be completed before the end of your MOC cycle. The module may be started at any time but you should check the specific requirements and cycle dates that apply to you at your personal ABP portfolio page.

How do I view my MOC credit?

Access your individual MOC requirements on your personal Web page at www.abp.org.

After completing 3 cycles of the PIM, you will receive MOC credit automatically. To see the credit you received for completing the PIM, login to your ABP Portfolio then:

  • My MOC Requirements link

Cycles

Can I complete the same PIM for credit more than once in an MOC Cycle?

No. A PIM can only be completed for credit once per MOC cycle. Your exact MOC cycle dates may be reviewed within your online Portfolio account by clicking the link for “My MOC Requirements”.

Can I change my cycle dates after I have created a cycle?

Generally you will not need to change the cycle dates.

The cycle start date will automatically be set when a user creates a new cycle by starting to enter forms. A user can change the start date, but this will not affect the waiting period between cycles. To change the start date:

  1. Click the "Manage Data Collection Periods" button on the right-hand side of the Visit Form page
  2. Hover over the icons labeled "B, 1, 2, etc."
  3. Click the name of the data collection period link in the information box that appears
  4. Edit the Start Date
  5. Click the "Save" button to save your changes.

The cycle end date will automatically be set whenever the cycle is closed. A cycle is closed:

  • Automatically after the minimum number of forms have been entered.
  • By the user, after s/he has finished entering forms.
Do I have to wait until I have all patient data before creating a Baseline or Improvement Cycle?

No. You do not have to wait until you have all patient data before creating a baseline or Improvement Cycle.

Group Participation

Can the PIM be completed as a team?

No. While the PIM must be completed by an individual, pediatricians are strongly encouraged to work in groups within their practices or across practices to improve care. If a group of physicians in a practice are sharing care for individual patients, they may collect data as a group but each participating physician must complete the PIM individually by entering the group data for the Baseline Performance and the Improvement Cycles. The physician completing the PIM must be involved in the care that is being reported. When care is not shared but a group of physicians or practices are collaborating to improve care, a physician may join the group and enter their own unique patient data and compare their data to other members of the group.

Run Charts

I have entered Baseline data, but my run charts only display a single point. Why?

A run chart is a graph that displays observed data over a period of time. Therefore, after entering baseline data, only one point will be displayed on the chart as a dot. This point is a measure displaying how far you are from the measure goal (if there is one) and where to focus your improvement efforts to reach the goal. After your first Improvement Cycle data is entered, you will see a trend line displayed on the graph, connecting the two points. The chart will continue to display trends over time and your progress towards improvement as you enter your next Improvement Cycle of data.

Visit Forms

When should the visit forms be completed?

The Physician Form should be completed during the patient visit. The Patient Form should be completed at the conclusion of the patient visit. The two forms should be stapled together.

Do you have any forms that review the data collection process with the patient/parent?

No. The purpose of the parent visit form is to gather important information prior to seeing the doctor to help with evaluation and decision making at the time of the visit for later transfer into the module. The form's purpose is generally explained to the parent and/or patient at the time of the visit as they are given the form, but there are many other options. The forms gather clinical data about the patient visit in order to improve care since the data entered into the PIM has no patient identifiers, no additional parent and/or patient permission is required. Some physicians find it useful to make the visit form a permanent part of their medical record thus documenting questions asked and care delivered.

Is the ADHD diagnosis date the date that I first saw the patient or the date that the diagnosis was first made by another health provider?

If you are seeing a patient in your practice for the first time and they have already been diagnosed with ADHD by another physician, then the visit to your office would be a follow-up visit for ADHD. You would only use initial diagnosis for patients that are diagnosed with ADHD in your practice.

Are visit forms available in a language other than English?

No. At this time, the visit forms are only available in English. If you are a physician serving a patient population using a language other than English, you may have your visit forms translated, however, this is not a service the ABP provides.