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Why Hospitals Should Encourage EM Physicians to Become Board Certified

Emergency Medicine Board CertificationIn many urgent access hospitals and emergency departments, the physicians on staff are board certified in a medical field other than emergency medicine. While emergency medicine is a recognized medical specialty, many physicians elect to complete their residency in broader fields like family medicine or primary care before eventually gravitating to the emergency room to address a need within their community. The shortage of physicians who are board certified in emergency medicine is particularly prevalent in small markets and rural communities where the medical team tends to see less trauma and spends more time with patients who might not have access to other physicians. Yet, if you have physicians working in your hospital who are certified in a specialty other than emergency medicine, you might want to encourage them to consider becoming recognized in their chosen field with board certification from the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) or another multi-specialty board certifying organization.

At ABPS, we believe that physicians who have extensive firsthand experience working in the emergency department are entitled to board certification in their field of expertise. The problem that many physicians run into is that they are not eligible for certification without completing an additional residency – a residency in a specialty they’ve already shown expertise in over the course of their career. To address this issue, the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine® (BCEM), a Member Board of the ABPS, offers board certification in emergency medicine for physicians with extensive firsthand experience in emergency medicine who completed their residency in another field. Our board certification process is still extremely competitive, we have exceptionally high standards for our Diplomates, and we are pleased to offer an avenue to qualified physicians.

Eligibility Requirements for BCEM Certification

To qualify for initial certification through the BCEM, candidates must first meet the general requirements set by the ABPS, which include:

  • Graduating from an accredited U.S. or Canadian allopathic or osteopathic medical school.
  • Possessing a valid and unrestricted medical license in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

Additionally, the BCEM sets specific eligibility criteria for primary care physicians, which are:

  • Completion of an ACGME, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC residency in family practice, internal medicine, pediatric medicine, or general surgery, coupled with a minimum of five years of full-time emergency medicine experience.

OR

  • Completion of an ACGME, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC residency in one of the listed primary care specialties, followed by a 12- or 24-month emergency medicine fellowship approved by the BCEM.

For a list of BCEM-approved fellowships, click here.

Important Facts About ABPS Member Boards

Our practical approach allows physicians to achieve both personal and professional growth while addressing the growing needs of patient care. Our Diplomates, recognized as thoughtful leaders within their specialties, are practicing across all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Leaders at top medical institutions recognize that our Diplomates, who are among the most skilled and dedicated practitioners, offer significant benefits:

  • They provide patients with the assurance of receiving the highest quality of medical care.
  • They are part of an esteemed community dedicated to delivering world-class medical care.
  • They enhance the reputation of both large and small medical institutions.

Why Emergency Medicine Certification Matters

Increasingly, hospital leaders are prioritizing hiring physicians for their emergency departments who are board certified in the specialty. This significantly narrows the field of qualified physicians in an already underrepresented field of medicine. What’s more, there can be significant insurance incentives for hospitals to hire emergency medicine certified physicians, which further speaks to the importance of having your physicians certified in the field in which they work.

To help make it easier for your physicians to obtain and maintain employment, ensure your patients receive the best possible care, and make sure your hospital qualifies for all insurance coverage you’re entitled to, it makes sense to encourage your EM physicians to become board certified in emergency medicine.

For information about the board certification process and details about eligibility requirements with ABPS, 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.

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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