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Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics Has Expanded

Woman consulting with doctor in medical clinic officeThe Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics (BCFMO) recognizes that physicians who practice the specialty provide full obstetric care as part of their family practices, and therefore require board certification that recognizes the diverse scope of healthcare they deliver. The BCFMO also understands that many family medicine physicians gain an advanced level of training and experience through recognized fellowship programs. Certification standards at the BCFMO have been developed with these considerations in mind.

Now, to better serve family physicians practicing obstetrics in the United States, the BCFMO has expanded to offer a new non-surgical path (Family Medicine Obstetrics) in addition to it’s current surgical path for certification (Family Medicine Obstetrics with Surgical Qualification) that was founded in 2009.

Subject matter experts in surgical and non-surgical obstetrics have helped develop these eligibility and certification pathways, incorporating the established standards of “Comprehensive Maternity Care” (Family Medicine Obstetrics) and “Advanced Maternity Care” (Family Medicine Obstetrics with Surgical Qualifications).

The new non-surgical certification requires a log of vaginal deliveries and successful completion of the written certification exam. The surgical path requires an additional log of cesarean deliveries and successful completion of both a written and oral exam. You can find out more about the eligibility requirements for each pathway here.

Why Choose the BCFMO for Certification?

If you’re a physician considering certification in family medicine obstetrics, you should know that the BCFMO is comparable and equivalent with other well-known certification bodies like the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). In fact, the BCFMO is a Member Board of a nationally recognized certifying body, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), which offers both allopathic and osteopathic physicians board certification in a variety of medical fields. The ABPS certified its first physician in 1960, and today ABPS Diplomates can be found across all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more details about the BCFMO certification pathways, or information about the application process, contact the ABPS today.

 

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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
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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
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Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
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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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