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Board Certification for Family Medicine Physicians

Family Medicine ABPSA trend among hospitals across the country is that CEOs, physician recruiters, and other healthcare leaders are increasingly hiring physicians who have earned board certification in medical specialty. This stands to reason as there are marketing advantages that come from advertising that your healthcare facility is staffed with board-certified physicians. The problem for some family physicians, however, is that these men and women have often made their careers working in other areas of healthcare to fill a need in their community, and, as a result, may not have board certification in their specialty. This could lead to instances where a family physician with decades of experience working in an emergency department isn’t eligible for advancement because he or she isn’t board certified in emergency medicine. Fortunately, at the American Board of Physician Specialties®, we offer a solution for highly qualified and experienced family physicians by offering an opportunity to achieve board certification in a variety of medical specialties based, in part, on case experience and proven knowledge.

ABPS Offers Certification in a Range of Medical Specialties

While the process of becoming board certified through one of our member boards is rigorous, it provides family physicians the opportunity to earn the board certification that they’re entitled to based on their expertise in their specialty. Qualified family physicians can pursue board certification from the ABPS in several disciplines, including:

  • Disaster medicine
  • Emergency medicine
  • Family medicine
  • Family medicine obstetrics
  • Integrative medicine

How to Apply for ABPS Board Certification

To apply for ABPS certification, candidates need to meet general requirements and specialty-specific eligibility criteria set by our boards. These criteria vary by specialty but are designed to show expertise in core competencies. As noted above, the ABPS emphasizes psychometrically evaluated testing, in addition to advanced training, moral character, and experience.

Certification in each specialty involves a written exam with multiple-choice questions. Some specialties also require an oral exam to showcase diagnostic and treatment skills. All ABPS certifications cover the essential technical knowledge and skills relevant to each medical specialty. Recertification criteria vary across specialty boards.

How ABPS Certification Benefits Physicians

The ABPS board certification process and exams are notably rigorous, but when you become ABPS certified, you join a varied group of medical professionals who are well-regarded in healthcare. As an ABPS-certified physician, you’ll have:

  • Plenty of networking opportunities
  • More opportunities for career advancement and higher earnings
  • A meaningful voice as a valued participant in the community
  • Opportunities to share your expertise and clinical insights.

Learn More About Certification With an ABPS Member Board

If you are a family physician who is interested in becoming board certified in your area of expertise, contact the ABPS today. We’ll be glad to explain the various eligibility requirements to be considered for certification through our Member Boards. You can also read about the ABPS certification policies here, including details about our application process.

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Patient Care Is Our Priority

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
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