Does Your Healthcare Organization Reflect the Current Standards of Physician Board Certification?

While not everyone knows the steps that physicians must complete in order to become board certified, they largely understand that board certified physicians represent some of the best and the brightest in their specialty. And, currently in the United States there are three organizations that provide highly regarded, reliable, and reputable board certification to physicians: The American Board of Medical Specialties® (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association® (AOA), and the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). It is essential that hospitals and other healthcare organizations ensure that their bylaws are updated to reflect the current standards of physician board certification – omitting any of the primary three certifying authorities could potentially limit the pool of qualified candidates for employment opportunities.

While the ABMS, the AOA, and the ABPS each have their own unique advantages, the important thing to consider is that each offers the same standard for board certification. To become board certified, a physician candidate must meet rigorous eligibility requirements, successfully complete a standardized, psychometrically validated examination, and demonstrate extensive experience in the specialty area. This process is vitally important because being board certified needs to remain exclusive – physicians who earn the distinction deserve to be able to present themselves as unquestioned specialty area experts to their peers, patients, loved ones, and acquaintances.

Over the years, the bylaws of hospitals and other healthcare organizations can naturally become outdated and limited in scope. For this reason, a routine review of bylaws, hiring practices, and other processes is strongly encouraged. Rather than relying on old language written by long-since-retired leaders, board members, or attorneys, it is good practice to identify and address vague, inaccurate, or unnecessary language.

Ultimately, hospitals and other healthcare organizations owe it to themselves to ensure that they are in the strongest position to provide the best possible care. As the healthcare industry rapidly changes and physicians are increasingly becoming more specialized, it is vital to ensure that hiring bylaws are modern, relevant, and will facilitate the hiring of the best candidates – not serve as an impediment.

To learn more about the ABPS and our Diplomates, contact us today.

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

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
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