 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Mission |
The mission of the International Certification and Education Accreditation
Foundation (ICEAF) is to provide certification in medical ultrasound to
physicians on an international scale and to establish accreditation for
educational programs, with a special emphasis on underserved and developing
countries.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Founders’ Statement |
The World Health Organization (WHO) has long recognized the need to raise the
level of ultrasound education around the world, particularly in developing
countries. In addition, it has recognized the need to ensure that physicians
who are performing ultrasound examinations in these countries are equipped with
the knowledge and skills to properly perform and interpret ultrasound studies,
provide quality care, and improve quality of life. To this end, WHO has
recognized that education should meet the needs of specific regions and that
the effectiveness of the education process and the capabilities of each student
should be evaluated through appropriate testing . The founders, including
President Barry B. Goldberg, MD, Vice-President Peter N.T. Wells, PhD, and
Secretary-Treasurer Christopher R.B. Merritt, MD, have established ICEAF to
address these needs. The objectives of ICEAF are to evaluate ultrasound
educational programs and provide accreditation to those who meet required
educational standards, as well as to develop examinations to test the level of
knowledge of each physician, while providing certification to those who
successfully pass the examination. In most countries around the world,
particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries, few or no established
educational standards or examinations exist to test the capabilities of health
professionals who perform ultrasound studies. The founders and members of the
medical advisory board of ICEAF are recognized throughout the world for their
leadership and pioneering efforts in ultrasound. They pledge to work with
appropriate advisory committees consisting of selected expert physicians in
ultrasound from various regions of the world. Examinations comprised of
multiple-choice questions have been and are being developed and evaluated
according to established professional standards. These questions are written in
English and translated into the various languages of the countries in which the
examinations will be offered. The same advisory committees that have been
designated for specific regions and countries will help to oversee ICEAF’s
educational accreditation activities in order to ensure that those who have
been tested will have the opportunity to receive the appropriate continuing
education needed to maintain their certification.
Funding has been and will continue to be obtained from foundations, interested
governments, and companies interested in helping to raise the level of
knowledge in ultrasound. Individuals are charged fees to cover examination
costs according to the economic situation with in each country. Because
ultrasound is a rapidly growing area with an ever-increasing body of knowledge,
the need for the continuing education of physicians and paramedical personnel
has long been recognized. ICEAF will certify eligible individuals for three
years. Certified physicians will be required to participate in continuing
ultrasound education programs in order to renew their certification. They can
take advantage of a wide variety of educational opportunities including
meetings, courses, journals, books, CD-ROMs, and via the Internet, on the web
site www.sonoworld.com. The goal of ICEAF is to apply the same concepts of high
educational standards and certification that are well-established in the United
States to countries lacking this infrastructure. In doing so, ICEAF will strive
to improve the patients’ quality of life through careful and appropriate
diagnoses, in keeping with long-established goals set by the World Health
Organization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Key Elements |
Top |
|
1. Certification – Physicians who have been performing ultrasound
procedures for at least 3 years, or who have completed a residency or
fellowship program in which ultrasound training was an integral part of the
program, will be eligible. In addition, trainees in accredited educational
programs will become eligible for ultrasound certification examinations using
materials and criteria established locally with ICEAF approval. Time-limited
certificates will be provided in both general and specialty areas. Those who
become certified will be recognized for their accomplishments on
www.sonoworld.com
2. Educational Accreditation – The ICEAF will not offer or directly
sponsor training programs; however, it will be involved in the accreditation of
these programs. In addition, a wide variety of other educational opportunities
will be accredited, including journals, books, CD ROMs, and via the Internet,
on the web site www.sonoworld.com. WHO Training guidelines will form the basis
of the curriculum. Centers meeting ICEAF requirements developed in
collaboration with local medical and, if appropriate, governmental authorities
will be accredited, and will be subject to re-accreditation on a regular basis.
3. Continuing Medical Education (CME) – Recertification and maintenance
of certification will involve ongoing education and accrual of specified CME
credits (150 hours within a three year period). The ICEAF will identify and
recognize appropriate sources of CME to qualify for recertification. The value
of accreditation and certification will be determined by the success of ICEAF
in obtaining recognition of its authority by both local and national medical
and governmental bodies. Individuals will be able to keep track of their CME
credits on www.sonoworld.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Strategy |
Top |
In order to meet its objectives, the strategy of ICEAF is to develop effective
processes for:
1. Determining the level of knowledge of physicians and assuring that
educational programs are effectively able to address the unique needs of each
student.
2. Identifying specific areas of each student’s weaknesses in skill, knowledge,
and the understanding of ultrasound.
3. Proposing appropriate steps for remediation of these deficiencies.
Successful implementation of ICEAF strategy will be based on appropriate use of
the Internet and computer-based technology in its accreditation and
certification programs.
A process of evaluation that will permit individuals to compare their
performance to that of their peers will be offered in an attempt to encourage
self-improvement. Recognition of outstanding performance will be provided
through the process of certification. Candidates will receive feedback on their
percentile scoring along with recommendations for additional study and training
in areas of weakness, the goal of which will be the acquisition of the
knowledge needed to successfully obtain ICEAF certification.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Medical Advisory Board |
Top |
Luiz Antonio Bailao, MD, PhD - Brazil
Kanu Bala, MD - Bangladesh
Beryl R.Benacerraf, MD - USA
Giovanni G. Cerri, MD - Brazil
Michel Claudon, MD - France
David O. Cosgrove, MD - UK
Nirvikar Dahiya, MD - India
Sorin M. Dudea, MD - Romania
Leandro Fernandez, MD - Venezuela
Roy A. Filly, MD - USA
Syed Amir Gilani, PhD - Pakistan
Edward G. Grant, MD - USA
Philippe Jeanty, MD, PhD - USA
Yuxin Jiang, MD - China
Alfred Kratochwil, MD - Austria
Frederick Kremkau, PhD - USA
Alfred Kurtz, MD - USA
Fay C. Laing, MD - USA
Wesley Lee, MD - USA
George R. Leopold, MD - USA
Ji-Bin Liu, MD - USA
Harald Lutz, MD - Germany
Nabil Maklad, MD - USA
Michael Manco-Johnson, MD - USA
Anna Parsons, MD - USA
Roger C. Sanders, MD - USA
C. V. Vanjani, MD - India
Xinfang Wang, MD - China
Francis Weill, MD - France
Ivan Zador, MD, PhD - USA
Donghai Zhou, MD - China
Marvin Ziskin, MD - USA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|