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 Physician Portfolio. 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 Health Literacy 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 are 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 physcians 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.

Does this PIM require patients from a certain age group?

Some PIMs do require data collection from a specific patient age group. This PIM does not require a specific patient age group.

Certification

How much CME credit is provided?

CME for the Health Literacy 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 Home Page. This link will only appear after you complete 3 cycles of the Health Literacy PIM.

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”.

How long do I have to wait before creating an Improvement Cycle?

There is a mandatory 3 week waiting period between closing a cycle and starting a new cycle. When there is a mandatory waiting period between cycles, you cannot collect and enter all your data into the module at one time.

Since most practice Improvement Cycles using Plan, Do, Study, Act methodology cannot realistically be completed in less than 3 weeks, this PIM will not accept data entry for a new Improvement Cycle sooner than 3 weeks from the close of the last Improvement Cycle.

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, physicians 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, each participating physician must complete the PIM individually by entering data for the Baseline Cycle and two Improvement Cycles. Because the data collected reflect the individual physician's performance, forms collected by other physicians cannot be used. Each participating physician may join a 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 and Parent, or Physician and Patient Forms 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?

No. The purpose of the patient visit form is to gather important information prior to, during, or after 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 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 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. With electronic medical records, most physicians will find that the PIM files are best kept separate in a paper folder for MOC tracking.

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.