Should I let my ARDMS expire?

[erdoc00]

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Trying to debate if I should let it expire or not. I dont mind the $70 each year to keep it active but i haven't kept up with the CME. Clinically having the certification doesn't matter but I've kept active thinking it might make a difference on my CV if I switch jobs.

I'm leaning towards just letting it expire since I doubt it really makes a difference at this point. Has anyone else been in this situation? Thoughts? Thx.

 

[Angry Birds]

What the flying hootnanny is ARDMS again?

 

[BoardingDoc]

What the flying hootnanny is ARDMS again?

Google seems to indicate that it's the body that certifies ultrasound techs (and some physicians) in their proficiency. Not really sure the value this adds as an MD. I feel like an academic center would want an ultrasound fellowship, and most community sites wouldn't really care.

I guess if a community site is looking to start billing for ED limited sonos, then you'd need a QA system in place which you could offer to setup.

 

[BJJVP]

I don't know much about RDMS but I would base my decision on how difficult it would be for you to recertify after letting the certificate lapse. If it's a matter of just paying some money and doing some CME, then maybe letting it expire is not that bad. However, if I recall correctly, getting certified is a fairly extensive process with many hoops to jump through and so letting it lapse may not be a good idea.

 

[gamerEMdoc]

I never really understood the whole RDMS thing. I'm not trying to put down those that obtain it, I just don't understand it. Its a certification for US techs, it doesn't certify you to read or interpret the images. The radiologists that read the formal US studies that get ordered don't get their RDMS. Why do EM docs? From a physician standpoint, I just don't get what it gains us. Seems like just another merit badge (like ACLS and PALS) that doesn't add anything to our board certification. If someone wants to be an US guru in academia, they typically do an US fellowship. Honestly, for anyone who did go the route of getting the RDMS certification, if you can better explain the logistics of how this designation helps your career, I'd love to understand it.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

I'm so glad I never bothered getting an RDMS. US is a "core credential" at my hospitals. It's just assumed you know how to do it since you're an emergency doc. Like a chest tube or an intubation.

 

[DeadCactus]

I never really understood the whole RDMS thing. I'm not trying to put down those that obtain it, I just don't understand it. Its a certification for US techs, it doesn't certify you to read or interpret the images. The radiologists that read the formal US studies that get ordered don't get their RDMS. Why do EM docs? From a physician standpoint, I just don't get what it gains us. Seems like just another merit badge (like ACLS and PALS) that doesn't add anything to our board certification. If someone wants to be an US guru in academia, they typically do an US fellowship. Honestly, for anyone who did go the route of getting the RDMS certification, if you can better explain the logistics of how this designation helps your career, I'd love to understand it.

My take on it is that it was a useful merit badge for those who paved the way for EM bedside ultrasound prior to it being such a major part of residency and CME and prior to the establishment of ultrasound fellowships. I think we've now hit the point where we need to abandon the idea of RDMS certification being relevant to our practice.