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Hospital Bylaws Should Not Restrict Qualified Physicians

Hospital BylawsMany decades ago, a group of osteopathic surgeons who had completed allopathic residencies applied for board certification through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), but they were denied because they had not completed osteopathic residencies. The surgeons then turned to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), but once again, they were rejected. This time, it wasn’t because they lacked osteopathic residency completion, but because they were, in fact, osteopathic doctors. Disappointed but determined, the group decided to create a physician board certification that did not discriminate based on training but actually tested physicians’ knowledge of their chosen specialty. Hence the founding in 1952 of the American Board of Physician Specialties ® (ABPS), a multi-specialty board certifying body that recognizes licensed physicians who have shown, through testing and performance, mastery of their medical fields.

ABPS: A Rich Legacy of Nondiscriminatory Board Certification

The ABPS certified its first physician in 1960, and since then has certified numerous highly qualified and demonstrably skilled physicians in traditional medical specialties such as dermatology and internal medicine, and in emerging specialties such as disaster medicine and integrative medicine. Although the ABMS now certifies osteopathic physicians, the ABPS is proud to have led the way, and remains fully committed to a non-discriminatory approach to board certification.

Unfortunately, when it comes to hiring policies, some medical organizations are not as non-discriminatory. Their bylaws are written so narrowly that they unwittingly discriminate against physicians certified by the ABPS. When this happens, eminently qualified physicians are turned away from staff membership, and the result is that patients are deprived of receiving the superior medical care that these accomplished practitioners deliver. Currently, as a result of restrictive bylaws, organizations across the country face physician shortages in certain specialties. In its quest to deliver the highest quality of medical care possible, the ABPS promotes the awareness of unnecessarily restrictive bylaws.

At the ABPS, we also believe that physicians with extensive experience in a particular specialty should have the chance to earn physician board certification, provided they meet the necessary qualifications. Put simply, recognizing ABPS board certification plays a vital role in addressing the shortage of physicians and ensuring high-quality healthcare for all.

By acknowledging the expertise and experience of ABPS Diplomates, healthcare organizations can contribute to filling gaps in rural and underserved regions, where access to medical services is often limited. Embracing a more inclusive approach to physician certification won’t only be advantageous for healthcare professionals; more importantly, it will ensure patients receive the specialized care they rightfully deserve.

Recognizing ABPS Board Certification Helps to Ensure Quality Standards

Change has begun. A few years ago, the U.S. Department of Labor updated its Occupational Outlook Handbook to include the ABPS as an option for board certification for physicians. “What we are asking bylaws to do is get with the current standard,” says Jeff Morris, executive director of the ABPS.

If the goal of bylaws is to ensure quality standards, then hospitals and other medical facilities would be well served if their bylaws recognize the knowledgeable physicians certified through the rigorous standards of the ABPS.

ABPS Certification Aligns with the Toughest Industry Criteria

If you’re a doctor exploring board certification choices, you’ve likely come across plenty about ABMS and AOA. When comparing them to ABPS, it’s worth noting that an impartial evaluator, Castle Worldwide, meticulously reviewed our stringent benchmarks and affirmed their parity with those established by ABMS and AOA. To put it simply, this attests that ABPS exams, processes, and protocols don’t just measure up to the loftiest standards but also carry robust clinical, psychometric, and legal substantiation.

To learn more about our mission to meet the healthcare needs of the public while promoting physician success in an evolving medical environment, contact the ABPS 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.

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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