Emergency Department Physicians: Have You Demonstrated Your Competency in Emergency Medicine?

One would think that family medicine and emergency medicine would be two specialties that go hand-in-hand. After all, these specialties treat patients of all ages, gender, and health. Yet, there is an interesting competition between those board certified in family medicine and those in emergency medicine. This competition is particularly fascinating when you consider that many emergency departments are staffed by family physicians, especially in rural areas where physicians who are board certified in emergency medicine are few and far between. Yet, despite the fact that family physicians are extremely well equipped for emergency medicine, many find that their expertise is questioned by professional organizations, including emergency medicine professional societies. In some instances, certain promotions and opportunities are also withheld from family physicians who have made a career in the emergency department simply because they are not board certified in emergency medicine.

To address this issue, the American Board of Physician Specialties® encourages qualified family physicians with substantial firsthand experience in emergency medicine to consider pursuing board certification through the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). Earning board certification in emergency medicine is not only an admirable personal accomplishment; it also has many practical benefits as board certification clearly demonstrates your competency in your specialty to your colleagues, patients, and potential employers. You might consider yourself to be an emergency medicine physician and have many years of experience to back up the claim, but by becoming board certified in emergency medicine, you can show your colleagues once and for all you are an expert in the ER. Furthermore, many hospital groups are increasingly prioritizing the hiring of board certified physicians in their emergency departments, and by becoming board certified now, you may find it easier to find and maintain new employment in your area of expertise.

There are considerable benefits to board certification through the BCEM, and we are happy to walk you through our eligibility requirements and answer any questions that you might have. Contact the ABPS today to learn more. The ABPS is the official board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.