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 Motivational Interviewing 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

How do I complete the Motivational Interviewing PIM?
  1. Recruit an observer for each patient encounter.
  2. Send an electronic invitation through the PIM - either by email or text message (SMS) - to the observer and the parent/patient for the purpose of completing a survey. You are encouraged to send more than five sets of surveys, as observers/patients/parents may opt to not participate.
  3. Maintain a record, independent of the PIM, of the visit dates, emails/text messages sent for each visit and follow-ups. You can use the Visit Tracking Form provided in the PIM.
  4. Check the completion status of the surveys by periodically accessing the Motivational Interviewing PIM. Log into the PIM and click on Collect Data > Enter Data Online.
  5. When five sets of surveys are completed, the Self Reflection becomes available for you to complete.
  6. DO NOT WAIT to complete the Self Reflection after the five sets of surveys have been received. You will not be able to proceed to the next cycle until the previous cycle is closed, and the cycle will not close until the Self Reflection is completed.
  7. Complete the Self Reflection for each data collection period (1 Baseline and 2 Improvement Cycles) each time five sets of surveys are received.
What data do I need to collect from my patients and observers to complete the surveys?

Collect the email addresses and/or cell phone numbers of the patient (or the parent) and the observer for at least five patient encounters on the paper physician form. You can print the Visit Tracking Form, provided in the PIM, to collect this information. The PIM does not store any identifying information for observers, parents or patients.

Note: If your patient or parent does not have access to e-mail or a cell phone, you may print a paper survey from the PIM and ask them to complete the form after the encounter. The patient or parent should give the survey to your observer after completing the survey. Send the electronic surveys by text message or email to the observer, who will complete the observer assessment, as well as the patient survey based on the responses the patient provided on the written form.

What if my patient or parent does not have access to email or text messages?

If your patient or parent does not have access to e-mail or a cell phone, you may print a paper survey from the PIM and ask them to complete the form after the encounter. The patient or parent should give the survey to your observer after completing the survey. Send the electronic surveys by text message or email to the observer, who will complete the observer assessment, as well as the patient survey based on the responses the patient provided on the written form.

What method should I use to send invites to my patients and obervers?

Using an email-based invitation is preferred, but a text message option is also available. Please note that the text message option will work for most situations, but some carriers may not support sending URLs in text messages.

How do I check the status of surveys I have sent to parents/patients and observers?

Log into the PIM from your Physician Portfolio. Once you are in the PIM, click on Collect Data > Enter Data Online to view how many surveys have been completed.

Can I receive surveys for a cycle that has closed?

Yes. You can receive surveys for a cycle that is closed. If you send out more than the five required sets of surveys, the surveys will be added to the cycle in which you sent out the survey.

If I send out additional surveys, can they be applied to a different cycle?

No. Surveys are applied to the cycle in which they are sent to the patient and observer. You are encouraged to send more than five sets of surveys, as some observers/patients/parents may opt to not participate.

How do I complete the Self Reflection for each cycle?

Complete the Self Reflection for each data collection period (1 Baseline and 2 Improvement Cycles) each time five sets of surveys are received. The Self Reflection will appear automatically when you visit the Collect Data page.

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.

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 Motivational Interviewing 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 Motivational Interviewing 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 no waiting period between cycles.

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

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

No. The purpose of the survey is to gather important information after seeing the doctor to help with evaluation and decision making. The survey’s purpose is generally explained to the patient at the time of the visit, but there are many other options. The survey gathers 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.

Are surveys available in a language other than English?

No. At this time, the surveys are only available in English.