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AJCM Report: Obstetrics Care Provided by Qualified Specialists Compared

Mar 10, 2014

Tampa, FL- A recent study published in the winter, 2014 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Medicine® (AJCM)concluded that the care delivered by family medicine physicians is comparable to patient care provided by OB/GYN specialists. This conclusion is reinforced and demonstrated when a physician becomes board certified through the Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics (BCFMO), which is administered by the American Board of Physician Specialties®.

According to the data compiled during the eight-year period between Jan. 1, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2011, a qualified, experienced practitioner of family medicine obstetrics is perfectly capable of performing all of the delivery and post-delivery responsibilities associated with the OB/GYN specialty, including high-risk pregnancies and pre-term deliveries.

“This is particularly significant in under-served rural areas, where family medicine physicians often are called upon to provide care across a wide spectrum of specialties,” said Daniel M Avery, MD, professor and chair of OB/GYN at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and a member of the Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics (BCFMO).

The study covers all levels of obstetric care, including pre-natal care and high-risk pregnancies. Furthermore, the study shows that the overall cesarean rate of family medicine obstetricians is lower than the rates for OB/GYN specialists, while the rates of complications are virtually the same for both groups. “The bottom line − family medicine practitioners who provide obstetric care can work independently of OB/GYN backup,” Avery said.

A qualified family medicine physician can demonstrate his or her ability to provide the best obstetrics care available through board certification from the BCFMO, a member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties. Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:

  •     Completion of a fellowship recognized by the BCFMO, or five or more years of practice in obstetrics (available through 2018)
  •     Submission of a case list of deliveries
  •     Verified staff privileges at every hospital where the physician practices
  •     Board certification in Family Medicine from the ABPS, the ABMS or the AOA

For more information about becoming board certified in Family Medicine Obstetrics through the BCFMO, contact the ABPS today at (813) 433-2277.

ABPS is the official board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.® (AAPS) and AJCM is the official, peer-reviewed journal of AAPS.

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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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