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BCIM Diplomate Roger K. Schwartzberg, DO, FAAIM, Explains What It’s Like to Specialize in Internal Medicine

Roger K. Schwartzberg, DOI knew I wanted to be an internist while I was still a medical student in the early 1970s. I realized then that this would allow me to strive to be an “expert” in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases of adults. I would be given the opportunity to develop meaningful doctor-patient relationships as well as important interactions with other specialists and healthcare workers. Also, I would later be able to decide whether I wanted to be office-based or hospital-based, practice as a general internist, or even sub-specialize in the many fields within internal medicine.

I retired in 2017, and, in retrospect, internal medicine was a great fit for me. The intellectual challenge of solving complex problems was very appealing. Plus, I am a “people person” and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to directly interact with patients to improve their health and well-being. I found immense satisfaction in helping patients deal with chronic medical problems as well as resolving acute medical issues.

The main challenge of working as an internist is realizing that your patients feel you are the primary physician in their medical care. Patients have great respect for the internist’s abilities, and you have a responsibility to avoid disappointing them.

I have always enjoyed teaching medical students, interns, and residents. One of my most memorable experiences as an internist was when I was voted “Educator of the Year” by the entire house staff. It was very gratifying and rewarding to receive such an honor.

I strongly recommend that internists in training read and re-read the basic textbooks rather than spend significant time reading the most current research articles in the journals. Understanding the basics of internal medicine will give you the foundation for learning more in the future.

Every physician in training should also develop listening skills. In fact, it’s among the most important skills not being tested on board exams. Actively listening to your patients when they describe their symptoms—paying attention to what they say and how they say it—will greatly increase the likelihood of making a correct diagnosis. Have empathy, make eye contact, and learn how to communicate appropriately so that your patients will be more likely to understand and adhere to your advice and instructions.

If you’re a physician considering validating your expertise through board certification, contact the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM) for details about its eligibility requirements. The BCIM is a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS).

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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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