PIMs for Training Programs
Practice Improvement Modules (PIMs) for training programs allow for convenient and easy documentation of program activity in all of the ACGME general competencies. PIMs are particularly useful in documenting activity in the newer competencies of practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice.
PIMs allow faculty, residents, and fellows to analyze and evaluate practice performance. Over 100 residency and fellowship programs have used PIMs. View a bibliography of literature supporting PIM use in training.
- Available PIMs for Training Programs
- Guidelines for using PIMs in Training Programs
- Earn ABIM MOC and CME credit
- Order a PIM
- Work on a PIM
Available PIMs for Training Programs
Asthma
Cancer Screening
Care of the Vulnerable Elderly
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Clinical Supervision (available for individual faculty use)
Colonoscopy
Communication – Primary Care
Communication – Subspecialists
Diabetes
Hepatitis C
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Hypertension
Osteoporosis
Preventive Cardiology
Program Directors, Supervising Physicians, and Attending Physicians enrolled in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program can use any ABIM PIM to maintain their ABIM certification; however, there is one ABIM PIM that has been especially created for faculty- the Clinical Supervision PIM is a reflective PIM that helps faculty improve those skills necessary for observing and evaluating trainees.
TopGuidelines for using PIMs in Training Programs
Data Collection
Working in a group, participants use the PIM to collect practice data to calculate performance measures. These performance measures will be used to conduct several rapid cycle tests to improve performance. Data collection involves two or three of the following activities, depending on the selected PIM*:
- Patient survey: ABIM recommends receiving a number of completed patient surveys equal to five times the number of participants. If this number is not feasible, ABIM will accept a minimum of 25 survey responses. If the group has four or fewer participants, a minimum of 25 completed surveys must be received by ABIM.
- Patient medical record audit: ABIM recommends receiving a number of medical record audits equal to five times the number of participants. If the group has four or fewer participants, a minimum of 25 charts must be reviewed. Any practice performance data that includes Protected Health Information is maintained in a HIPAA-compliant manner.
- Systems examination: The group is required to complete one Examine Systems Survey. Ideally, all clinical staff should meet to discuss the questions raised in the survey. Having nursing and administrative staff present will add value to this section of the PIM.
* The Hepatitis C, HIV and Colonoscopy modules do not include a patient survey. Visit the PIM Demonstration, select a PIM from the list, and select Requirements from the Main Menu to review data collection guidelines for training programs.
Quality Improvement
After data are submitted to ABIM, an aggregate report is provided to the group to guide development and implementation of a quality improvement exercise for one or more aspects of the practice. The Quality Improvement portion of the PIM consists of the following steps:
- Review the summary report to develop a quality improvement plan for each PIM.
- Test the Improvement Plan and report the results of one of the changes you made in your practice.
- Submit your completed module to ABIM.
Institutional Review Board
Because the PIM is primarily a quality improvement instrument rather than a research instrument, no IRB review is necessary. In order to comply with HIPAA, PIM users are asked to enter a "generic" patient identifier when entering patient chart data (e.g. P1 for the first patient chart).
TopEarn ABIM MOC and CME Credit
Faculty and fellows who are enrolled in ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program may receive up to 40 points toward the self-evaluation of practice performance portion of their recertification as well as 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for completing a PIM. The number of MOC points awarded depends on the PIM selected.
TopOrder a PIM
Log in to Order and Administer PIMs for Residents and Fellows as a Program Director or Administrator.
Some points to keep in mind when ordering:
- The ordering process is driven by your institution's FasTrack number, account name, and password. Check with your Program Director or Program Administrator for more information on FasTrack.
- The cost of the PIM is $100 per module plus $25 per participant and can be paid by credit card. Supervising attending physicians and those enrolled in MOC can participate at no charge.
- Participants cannot be added to the PIM once the order is placed. All PIMs in Residency orders are final. Cancelled modules or deleted participants are not refunded. Be sure about your choices and list of participants before placing your order because participants cannot be added or exchanged one the PIM order is placed. Call 1-800-441-2246 x4125 if you have any questions about using ABIM's PIM products with your trainees.
Work on a PIM
Log in to work on a PIM.
