ABPS Enhances Patient Care through Board Certification of Experienced Emergency Medicine Physicians

Oct 20, 2011

Tampa, FL – According to the latest projections from the Association of American Medical Colleges, the country is expected to see a shortage of 33,100 physicians in specialties such as emergency medicine by 2015 (only 3 years away) — calling for greater recognition of career emergency medicine physicians. With board certification in all physician specialties now becoming a requirement, in most hospital institutions, recognition of this expertise and experience of career emergency medicine physicians is a must.

The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) believes that all patients who visit the nation’s emergency

departments deserve to be treated by an experienced board certified emergency medicine physician. The ABPS Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM) looks to ensure patients are regardless of their geographic location. BCEM offers an opportunity to career emergency medicine physicians to become board certified in emergency medicine and BCEM is one of the nation’s largest EM boards certifying qualified experienced EM physicians since 1989.

According to the “National Study of the Emergency Physician Workforce 2008” (published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine 2009), thirty-one percent of the emergency department workforce in the United States is staffed by career emergency medicine physicians that have a primary care background. ABPS embraces these career EM physicians and believes they have earned the right to demonstrate their knowledge, ability and become board certified in EM. America’s patients have the right to expect the best possible emergency care provided by board certified physicians.

At a time of great physician shortages, ABPS focuses on placing the patient first, striving to ensure all patients are receiving the highest level of care both in urban and rural areas of the nation. All patients deserve the ability to be seen by a board certified emergency medicine physician that meets the rigorous standards set by ABPS.

“The foundation of ABPS board certification is built on placing patients first. They look to ensure that those outside urban areas receive the same level of care as those residing in the larger metropolitan communities,” explains Mark Bolton, MD, MPH, MBA. Dr. Bolton is a BCEM Diplomate and CEO of Coast to Coast Healthcare Services, a company that recruits physicians for hospitals in rural and remote communities nationwide.

ABPS recognizes the need for experienced board certified emergency medicine physicians that have completed residencies in primary

care specialties. All too often urgent cases require a variety of medical expertise.

“Career emergency medicine physicians who have a primary care, or surgical residency along with a board certification in emergency medicine, are often the best choice to meet the needs of patients in local communities,” said Bolton. ”In addition to their training, they have developed the necessary skills and judgment through extensive experience to handle emergency room scenarios without sub-specialty support and state-of-the-art equipment,” he added.

ABPS is a leading certifying body for both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians and provides opportunities for physicians to become board certified in 17 medical specialties.

ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine