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Certify in Internal Medicine With the ABPS

Internal MedicineChronic disease is an enormous contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obesity are rising at an alarming rate. Poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, lack of exercise, and increased salt intake are just a few of the factors contributing to the widespread increase in the number of patients afflicted with these ailments. Smoking and alcohol addiction are also big contributors to chronic lung and liver problems and psychosocial issues. The incidence of many cancers is rising, too, and effective screening is of vital importance because by the time some patients are symptomatic, the cancer has reached an advanced stage and treatment options are limited.

The specialty of internal medicine can effectively combat chronic diseases. More than ever, internal medicine physicians are leading the fight against the rise of chronic disease and are devising effective preventive strategies. On the spectrum of medical sciences, internal medicine is one of the most dynamic specialties.

Because internal medicine is of such pivotal significance, it is important for physicians practicing the specialty to undertake a rigorous process of supervised training and certification. The scope of internal medicine is extremely broad, and the medical community urgently needs to find physicians who are capable of meeting the specialty’s demands. Board certification is the only way to ensure that physicians have the expertise necessary to perform at a consistently high level.

Nationally Recognized Physician Board Certification for Qualified Internists

If you are an internal medicine physician seeking board certification, please consider the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). Our Member Board, the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM), provides a certification program that is the ideal choice for qualified physicians across the country.

Established in 1952, the ABPS was created to provide experienced physicians with a rigorous way to showcase their expertise and stand out as skilled medical specialists. We are the nation’s smallest multi-specialty certification body, but our size brings efficiency that larger organizations lack, and this efficiency allows the BCIM to respond to the specific needs of today’s practicing internists.

Why Certify With the BCIM?

Physicians who earn BCIM certification join a dedicated community of professionals who share best practices and keep each other informed about career opportunities. As BCIM Diplomates, internists can expect that the ABPS will work tirelessly on their behalf with practice management groups, legislators, and certifying organizations to give them a strong voice in their community. For a measure of the BCIM’s extensive recognition, consider that BCIM Diplomates can be found practicing across the country at some of the most reputable medical institutions.

As a nationally recognized certification entity, the BCIM welcomes applications from internists previously certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association. BCIM recertification involves documenting the required Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours, completing the recertification application, and passing the written recertification exam.

Eligibility Requirements for Internal Medicine Certification With the BCIM

The BCIM has stringent eligibility prerequisites as an assurance that only the most qualified practitioners can earn board certification. To be eligible to apply for certification with the BCIM, an internal medicine physician must have an unrestricted medical license for every state in which he or she is licensed. Other eligibility requirements include:

  • Completing an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in internal medicine, or an internal medicine residency accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
  • Submitting a current curriculum vitae that includes medical school, degrees earned, and work experience, in chronological order
  • Submitting two letters of recommendation from Diplomates in internal medicine of an ABPS, ABMS, AOA, or RCPSC board of certification.

Furthermore, our written exam focuses on all the relevant areas of internal medicine, with questions constructed to test knowledge, clinical judgment, and approach. All of this means that internal medicine Diplomates of the ABPS have the credentials necessary to provide exceptional care to their patients. If you are an internal medicine physician researching board certification options and would like more information about BCIM certification,  contact the ABPS today.

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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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