Physician Resources
Physicians
Your time is valuable. That's why SNMMI's new "Physician-Focused" section gives you instant access to what's important. One stop. All the information.
- Practice Guidelines
- Maintenance of Certification
- Coding and Reimbursement
- Educational Offerings
- PET PROS
- Career Opportunities
Practice Guidelines
Practice guidelines help identify elements of the procedure that are most important in obtaining a high-quality examination, while simultaneously controlling costs. Use of standardized procedures will increase the applicability of clinical research among multiple institutions, in turn, increasing the value of research studies, particularly in the field of technology assessment. SNMMI offers practice guidelines in the following areas:
Maintenance of Certification
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a comprehensive programs to assess the ongoing competence of physician specialists and their ability to provide quality health care in six general competencies:
• Medical knowledge
• Patient care
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Professionalism
• Practice-based learning and improvements
• System-based practice
In the past, the certification process required successful completion of an approved educational program, an unrestricted medical license as evidence of professional standing, and passing the certification examination. Now nuclear medicine professionals can no longer simply take an exam to renew a certificate; lifelong learning must be documented.
The American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM) MOC program is a process designed to document that nuclear medicine physicians maintain the necessary competencies to provide quality patient care in nuclear medicine. It is now an ongoing process and will require the assessment and improvement of practice performance by nuclear medicine physicians, as well as other physician specialists who wish to be certified, and/or maintain their certification, in nuclear medicine.
Coding and Reimbursement
The most up-to-date and comprehensive source for nuclear medicine coding and reimbursement information on the web. Please note that ALL information and materials within the SNMMI Coding Corner are direct products of the SNMMI Coding and Reimbursement Working Group.
For Hospitals (APCs, IPPS) Find general coding and reimbursement information for hospitals.
For Private Practices (RBRVS) Find general coding and reimbursement information for professionals in private practices.
Coding and Reimbursement Q&A This easy to use feature contains over 100 questions and answers related to topics such as cardiac, endocrine, neurology, nuclear medicine-related drugs, oncology, PET, PET/CT, radiopharmaceuticals, and more!
Educational Programs for Physicians
SNMMI educational programs are designed to meet the professional development needs of physicians, as well as providing opportunities to satisfy continuing medical education (CME) requirements, including Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements.
SNMMI Educational Programs for Physicians
Additional Educational Activities and Resources Include:
Live Meetings |
Case Studies with DICOM Images
|
Other Activities and Resources |
PET PROS
The PET PROS program is your go-to source for print and take materials and helpful tools related to PET and PET/CT, including:
- Reporting Guidelines and Examples
- Practice Guidelines
- Patient Fact Sheets
- Educational Brochures
- Reimbursement Resources
- And More!
Referring/Interpreting Physicians: Understand the advantages and applications of PET/CT in your practice, and access helpful tools to increase the appropriate utilization of PET/CT.
Patients/Advocates: Learn about the latest PET/CT information and the major benefits it offers to patients.
Career Opportunities
Visit SNMMI's Career Center.
- July 18, 2014 —
AAIC: F-18 Flute shown to change management in 20% of dementia patients
The amyloid PET agent F-18 flutemetamol (Vizamyl) was the topic of two scientific sessions at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which concluded yesterday in Copenhagen. Results of one study showed how patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) whose scans were positive for flutemetamol were 2.5 times more likely to progress to Alzheimer's disease. Another study of early onset dementia patients showed improvements in clinical decision making and clinician confidence as a result of information gleaned from flutemetamol PET.
(MI: Making a Difference) - July 17, 2014 —
PET agents differentiate Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease
Researchers have found that using PET brain imaging with florbetapir and FDG can differentiate cardiovascular disease from symptoms of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. The combination can also detect amyloid plaques in patients with cardiovascular disease.
(MI: Making a Difference) - July 17, 2014 —
New Study Shows Beta-Amyloid Imaging is Associated with Altered Diagnosis and Management of Alzheimer's Disease
Eli Lilly and Company today announced new data showing that beta-amyloid imaging was associated with altered diagnosis and management of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Change in management was observed in both patients who met and did not meet the Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC), which were developed by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and the Alzheimer's Association to provide guidance on which patients are most appropriate for imaging and how best to use the results.
(MI: Making a Difference) - July 16, 2014 —
PET imaging for myocardial innervation expands with F-18 labeled agent
First-in-human study of an investigational radiotracer, F-18 LMI1195, shows clear imaging of myocardial innervation via the norepinephrine transporter system—tipping off potential adverse cardiac events, according to a study published July 3 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine .
(MI: Making a Difference)
Featured Resources
- Guidance
Tools, supported by evidence, to harmonize the practice of nuclear medicine using a progressive and safe approach.
- SNMMI Journals
Learn more about journals published by or sponsored by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
- Legislative Issues
SNMMI monitors multiple federal legislative issues and provides resources including issue summaries, letters to Congress, and analysis.
- Annual Reports