Accreditation: The hallmark of educational quality.

CONTEXT

Although accreditation issues have received attention over time, an accurate examination of accreditation has been absent within the radiologic science literature.

OBJECTIVE

Using a literature review format, this review will define accreditation, provide a historical review of accreditation and purposes, identify the types of accreditation, discuss the major issues related to accreditation and explain how accreditation has affected the radiologic sciences.

RESULTS

Although there is a great deal of rhetoric about accreditation in the radiologic sciences, research to support a particular type of accreditation within the radiologic sciences is absent.

SUMMARY

Accreditation programs continuously are reviewed and changed, and accreditation organizations constantly strive to improve quality. In the past, the radiologic sciences have been influenced by accreditation decisions. The potential for future accreditation decisions affecting the radiologic sciences profession is possible.