The new Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology dual certificate: ``higher standards, better education''

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has approved a ``new'' residency: dual Certification in Interventional Radiology (IR) / Diagnostic Radiology (DR). This IR/DR programintends to better prepare future IR doctors. Residency programs can apply for the IR/DR program beginning in 2015, with full nationwide implementation of the IR/DR residency likely to ramp up by 2022. The IR/DR dual certificate can be attained via an ``Integrated'' or ``Independent'' IR/DR residency pathway. The IR/DR training pathway may lead the way to the future training of IR/DR physicians worldwide. Certainly, the ABMS approval of a ``new'' residency is rare and worth attention; however, as with all things new, questions and concerns will be raised. Main messages The ABMS approved a ``new'' residency, the IR/DR dual Certification. This IR/DR program intends to better prepare future IR doctors. Full nationwide implementation of the IR/DR Residency is likely by 2022. The IR/DR certificate can be attained via the Integrated or the Independent residency pathway. These programs may lead the way to the future training of IR/DR physicians worldwide.