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ABPS Family Medicine Certification

Dr. Carloa Fleener, at leftWe all know that obtaining Board Certification is an important step in the transition from medical school to medical practice. For qualified family medicine physicians, certification with the Board of Certification in Family Medicine (BCFM) – a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) – represents a high level of excellence in the specialty. Physicians certified through the BCFM have demonstrated that they are uniquely qualified to deliver exceptional primary care as family medicine specialists.

BCFM Exam for Family Medicine Certification

The BCFM offers a clinically-based exam that gives physicians the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the specialty’s core competencies. The exam is designed as a practical evaluation of memory, knowledge, and skills acquired during medical training as well as the ability to process medical information provided in our case studies and questions while applying concepts, comprehension, and reasoning to patient care. Through focused questions covering subjects such as pediatrics, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and geriatrics, among many others, BCFM subject matter experts (SMEs) like Carola Fleener, MD, (at left, in the photo above) help make this exam relevant to the reality of current medical care.

“We know these exams assess the newly-graduated medical resident,” Dr. Fleener says, “but we really want to make sure that we can also evaluate competence and maintenance of knowledge and skills in the experienced physicians who are recertifying.”

Dr. Fleener and other Diplomates of the BCFM develop and validate the family medicine exam questions under the direction of psychometric consultants and the ABPS. Each question undergoes multiple revisions, and only questions pertinent to the way that medicine is practiced today are included. The end result is a fair, practical and relevant exam.

ABPS Invites Qualified Applicants to Apply for Family Medicine Certification

If you are a family medicine physician seeking board certification, consider the BCFM. In addition to the eligibility requirements for certification shared by all Member Boards of the ABPS, the BCFM has its own requirements. These include a minimum of 10 documented reports for family medicine cases in which the physician had the lead management role during the 12-month period prior to applying for certification. Case reports must include:

  • Complaint
  • History
  • Admitting diagnosis
  • Physical and lab findings
  • Final diagnosis
  • Summary of important facts, including diagnosis, care, and final results

Applicants for BCFM certification must also hold a valid license to practice medicine in the United States, its territories, or Canada and have completed an ACGME- or AOA-approved residency in family medicine. Additionally, current Diplomates of ABMS and AOA are eligible to recertify with ABPS in family medicine.

“Our eligibility requirements assure that only very qualified physicians earn family medicine board certification,” Dr. Fleener says. “Our Diplomates are widely respected.”

Dr. Fleener truly enjoys the professional interaction during exam development workshops and looks forward to participating in ABPS functions and welcoming new members to our dynamic organization.

Why BCFM Certification Matters

The path to certification through the BCFM is intentionally rigorous, ensuring that physicians who earn BCFM certification are recognized as competent family medicine specialists. This recognition not only positions them as leaders within the healthcare community but also broadens their professional opportunities. BCFM-certified physicians benefit from the chance to:

  • Establish themselves as qualified family medicine physicians, enhancing their status as community leaders and broadening their career prospects.
  • Share clinical experiences and best practices with peers.
  • Contribute significantly as respected members of the healthcare community.

For more information about the BCFM’s eligibility requirements, or to learn more about the clinically-based certification exam, contact the ABPS. 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.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
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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