Sponsoring Institution Emergency Categorization
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in the US, the response and needs of the graduate medical education (GME) community also continue to evolve. The ACGME continues to monitor the situation in order to ensure that its accreditation processes are responsive to the circumstances.
In all cases, Sponsoring Institutions and programs must ensure that residents and fellows can successfully complete their programs and become eligible for board certification. In recognition of this imperative, and of the ongoing adaptation of GME operations in the pandemic, the ACGME's new framework for Emergency and Non-Emergency categorization of Sponsoring Institutions provides a process for managing accreditation concerns resulting from pandemic-related educational disruption.
Starting July 1, 2020, the ACGME is sunsetting its "Three Stages" and implementing a new binary approach to the characterization of GME operations during the pandemic, with a Non-Emergency Category and an Emergency Category. Institutions must apply for Emergency Category acknowledgement. Institutions that have not applied for this acknowledgement default to the Non-EmergencyCategory, in which all ACGME Institutional Requirements,and Common and specialty-specific Program Requirements apply.
Visit the COVID-19 section of the ACGME website for details.
Telemedicine Requirements Extended
On March 18, 2020, the ACGME accelerated the use of the Common Program Requirements for supervision of telemedicine visits, permitting residents/fellows to participate in the use of telemedicine, with appropriate supervision,to care for patients affected by the pandemic.
Because of the pandemic's ongoing nature and the timing of requirement review and approvals, the ACGME Board extended the approval for implementation of telemedicine use and telesupervision through the 2020-2021 academic year. Each Review Committee will then choose whether to continue to allow for this type of direct supervision with telemedicine in other situations.
Frequently Asked Questions Under Review
With the creation of the new Sponsoring Institution Emergency Categorization, ACGMEleaders and staff members are reviewing the currently postedFrequently Asked Questionsand will be making updates and adjustments to this section to reflect the new binary approach and academic year turnover.Check this page for updates, and watch for further communication from the ACGME on this topic.
The 2021 Annual Educational Conference is Going Virtual!
The health and safety of all attendees, exhibitors, and personnel remain our top priority. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be bravely battled by the GME community, the ACGME has made the difficult decision to host the 2021 Annual Educational Conference virtually.
Attendees will have the opportunity to access sessions and events on a virtual platform. As one of the largest graduate medical education gatherings in the world, the ACGME will continue to provide and share the same depth of content and innovations, as well as the opportunity to connect and network. The conference will likely take place in February 2021. Official dates will be announced later this summer. As plans for the conference unfold, and more information is available for navigating the virtual platform and registering, details will be shared through this e-Communication and via email, on the ACGME website, and on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Email questions to acgmeconference@acgme.org.
NEW! ACGME Announces Special Board Task Force
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has created a financial crisis for institutions and programs across the country. In view of the difficult financial position that many programs and institutions now face, the Board has approved formation of a task force to examine the principles that should guide creation of requirements that quantify the effort required to participate in the educational program of residents and fellows.
The task force is charged with reviewing ACGME Common and specialty requirements relating to the duties, functions, dedicated time, and FTE support of and for program directors, assistant/associate program directors, program coordinators, and core faculty members, and making recommendations to the Board regarding potential revision of these.
The group will begin its work over the summer and present a preliminary report to the Board of Directors and the Committee on Requirements in September. All proposed requirements related to core faculty members will be deferred in the interim.
NEW! Institutional and Program Self-Study Update
The ACGME has suspended all program Self-Study activities, including the submission of Self-Study Summaries, through June 1, 2021 to allow the GME community to prioritize patient care duties in line with COVID-19 responsibilities. Programs with January 1, 2021 through June 1, 2021 due dates will receive a notice postponing the Self-Study until further notice. Email questions to Associate Director, Field Activities Andrea Chow.
Sponsoring Institutions with 2021 Self-Study dates will NOT be postponed. More information about the Institutional Self-Study can be found here on the ACGME website or by contacting irc@acgme.org.
NEW! Resources Available in Learn at ACGME
Log in to Learn at ACGME to accesswell-being resources related to COVID-19.
Guidebook for Promoting Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This guidebook was written by experts in graduate medical education (GME) and well-being, and reviewed by leaders in these fields. Recommendations are evidence-informed and drawn from existing guidance and already available well-being resources.
These recommendations reflect what was known in late spring 2020. The authors and reviewers recognize that information on COVID-19 overall and its impact on GME is “rapidly evolving and fluid” and were mindful of this as they developed this guidance. The intent is to offer a framework that can be applied across a range of specific local contexts and changing situations.
Institutions across the nation are experiencing different levels of the pandemic, with various degrees of impact on their health and education systems. The authors and the ACGME trust in the ingenuity of the medical education community and its ability for continuous improvement,and hope that this guidance can serve as a foundation for future adaptation.
Managing Stress and Distress in the COVID-19 Era: A Webcast for Coordinators
This webcast focuses on strategies and techniques that coordinators can use to manage their stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nominations Open for New ACGME Diversity and Inclusion Award
The ACGME is accepting nominations for the Diversity and Inclusion Award, a new award to support efforts to achieve diversity and inclusion in graduate medical education (GME).
The COVID-19 crisis has reinforced data showing that underrepresented minorities are the victims of systemic inequality. Eliminating disparities in health care requires a commitment from all-even, and especially, during times of crisis. This annual award will highlight the most innovative and exemplary initiatives that drive diversity in GME.
Read more about the award, including instructions for submitting a nomination
Nominations due Friday, July 17, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. Central.
Action Taken at June 2020 ACGME Board Meeting
New Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Complex Family Planning (subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology), effective June 13, 2020. The Requirements and FAQs are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Obstetrics and Gynecology section of the ACGME website. The New Program Application will be available in early July 2020.
Annual Update FAQs Available
The ACGME held educational webinars for program directors and program coordinators to provide an overview of ADS changes and newly added questions to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on programs.
Participants learned about changes to the upcoming ADS Annual Update, including questions related to the new Common Program Requirements, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on programs’ clinical and didactic activities and the health of residents, fellows, and faculty members. (See Distance Learning News for links to view the webcasts.)
Questions submitted during these webinars have been developed into FAQs, which are posted in the ADS Help Center under “United States: Annual Update 2020-2021.”
Submit additional questions to the executive director of the applicable specialty Review Committee (contact information can be found on each specialty’s section of the ACGME website) and ADS staff members (ADS@acgme.org).
Dr. Nasca Addresses Graduating Residents and Fellows
ACGME President and CEO Thomas J. Nasca, MD, MACP recorded a video message for all residents and fellows completing their program this spring—in the midst of a global pandemic, while caring for patients on the front lines during an extraordinary time.
In this video, Dr. Nasca recognizes residents and fellows for their altruism, expresses concern for their well-being, and encourages them to take the lessons learned about health disparities during the pandemic to improve care for all during the course of their careers.
Sponsoring Institutions and programs are encouraged to incorporatethe videointo their commencement activities and/or distribute it directly to their residents and fellows.
Learn More in the ACGME Newsroom
Access the Video on the ACGME’s Vimeo Channel
COMING SOON! Virtual Leadership Skills Training Program for Chief Residents
The ACGME is creating a virtual version of its popular Leadership Skills Training Program for Chief Residents, expected to be offered in fall 2020. Details will be available soon, and announced in the e-Communication and on the ACGME website.
Email questions to ariley@acgme.org.
Program Requirements for Review and Comment - Deadline Wednesday!
The following Program Requirements and accompanying Impact Statements are posted for review and comment, here:
Diagnostic Radiology
Interventional Radiology
Neuroradiology
Nuclear Medicine
Comment Deadline: July 1, 2020
NEW! Review Committee News / Notices - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A new resource provides programs with the Review Committee’s expectations for completing of the block diagram. The Guide to Construction of a Block Diagram can be found on the Documents and Resources page of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section of the ACGME website.
Review Committee News / Notices - Radiology
The Review Committee has added CPT codes 77061 and 77062 in the mammography Case Log category.The full list of Case Log categories and the diagnostic radiology required minimum numbers can be found on the Documents and Resources page of the Radiology section of the ACGME website.
ACGME Seeks Public Members - Deadlines Approaching and Specialties Added!
The following Review Committees are seeking their next public member for terms beginning July 1, 2021. A public member serves on the Review Committee to share the perspective of the public, foster accountability to the needs of the public, enrich the work of the Committee through outside expertise, and create transparency in the work of the Review Committee. Nominees must not be physicians. Other health care professionals are permitted, provided they are not employed by an organization with ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship programs. The term of appointment is six years.
Anesthesiology - Deadline Wednesday!
Contact: Cheryl Gross
Deadline: July 1, 2020
Medical Genetics and Genomics
Details: Read the full solicitation
Contact: Kate Hatlak
Deadline: July 31, 2020
NEW! Nuclear Medicine
Contact: Jenny Campbell
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Radiation Oncology - Deadline Wednesday!
Contact: Cheryl Gross
Deadline: July 1, 2020
NEW! Radiology
Contact: Jenny Campbell
Deadline: October 1, 2020
ACGME Seeks Resident Members - Specialties Added!
The following Review Committees are seeking their next resident member for terms beginning July 1, 2021. A resident member serves on the Review Committee to share the perspective of the resident, foster accountability to the needs of the resident, enrich the work of the Committee through outside expertise, and create transparency in the work of the Review Committee. The Review Committee's selected nominee will be presented for approval by the ACGME Board of Directors at its September 2020 meeting. The new resident member's term will be from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.
Dermatology
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited dermatology program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Sandra Benitez
Deadline: August 14, 2020
NEW! Emergency Medicine
Contact: Bianca Andino
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Neurological Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited neurological surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Jennifer Luna
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Orthopaedic Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited orthopaedic surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Readthe full solicitation.
Contact: Jennifer Luna
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Pathology
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited pathology program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Katherine McCue
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Preventive Medicine
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited preventive medicine program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Katherine McCue
Deadline: July 31, 2020
NEW! Radiology
Contact: Bianca Andino
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Applicants must be a current PGY-2 toPGY-4 during the 2021-2022 academic year. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Michelle Armstrong
Deadline: August 14, 2020
Thoracic Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited thoracic surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Applicants must be a current PGY-2 toPGY-4 during the 2021-2022 academic year. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Michelle Armstrong
Deadline: August 14, 2020
Urology
Details: Nominees must be a resident in an ACGME-accredited urology program, or a fellow in an ACGME-accredited pediatric urology or female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery program. A nominee must be able to serve a two-year term. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Tina Espina
Deadline: August 10, 2020