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Choice for Board Certification Matters

Choice for Board Certification MattersThe road to becoming a practicing physician is long and arduous. After graduating from medical school and completing residency training, physicians must obtain a state medical license to show that they have the expertise to provide safe and effective medical care. But, in the United States, these are minimum standards, and to distinguish themselves as leaders in their fields, many dedicated physicians seek board certification. Although certification is a voluntary process, it’s notably stringent and requires eligible candidates to pass challenging exams and complete several hours of continuing medical education. When physicians achieve certification, however, benefits accrue not only for themselves and their employers but, most importantly, for their patients as well.

How Physician Board Certification Benefits Patients

As a measure of one’s ability to deliver expert medical care, certification instills patients with confidence that they are in good hands. It confirms for patients that certified physicians are uniquely qualified in their specialty and indicates that by taking the extra step of earning certification these dedicated practitioners stand at the vanguard of a healthcare model that puts patients first.

ABPS Offers Board Certification in a Variety of Specialties

Founded in 1952, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) has become one of the premier multi-specialty certifying bodies in North America. We offer board certification in a range of specialties, from primary care fields like internal medicine and family medicine to innovative specialties like integrative medicine and disaster medicine. Our Diplomates practice their specialties in all 50 states as well as Canada and Puerto Rico and are part of a respected community of skilled professionals focused on exceptional patient care and safety rather than the business of medicine.

ABPS Prioritizes Patient Care

To ABPS stakeholders, our mission is straightforward – better patient care. But in the wide-ranging medical industry, not every program will serve the best interests of either patients or health care providers. Take physician certification, for example. When a certifying body wields a monopoly, it can impose unnecessary certification requirements. This is what the U.S. Department of Justice stated in a landmark 2018 opinion that argues for more options in physician board certification.

More Certification Board Choices Means More Options for Physician

As a nationally recognized certifying body, the ABPS understands that vigorous competition is instrumental to the success of the American economy. Increased competition among certification boards gives physicians the flexibility to choose the organization that best reflects their values, meets their professional needs and expectations, and fosters their career development. Given that only the most skilled and knowledgeable practitioners earn board certification, it’s not hard to see how expanded choices in certification can result in more medical innovations and better care for the people we all ultimately serve – patients.

Facts About the ABPS to Keep in Mind

As you narrow down your board certification options, here are a few key points about the ABPS to consider:

  • We have 12 Member Boards that offer certification in a variety of specialties, from primary care fields such as family medicine and internal medicine to innovative specialties such as integrative medicine and family medicine obstetrics.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook was revised to include the ABPS as a choice for board certification.
  • Various state medical boards have retained strict language that accepts and recognizes the ABPS as a recognized certifying entity that meets the higher certification standards they require.
  • ABPS certification exams, procedures, and protocols are clinically, psychometrically, and legally defensible, and have been found to be equivalent to those set by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

If you would like more information about the ABPS, or how to apply for certification through one of our Member Boards, 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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