Benefits of Emergency Medicine Fellowships for Primary Trained Physicians in Your Hospital
Board certification has long been one of the best ways for primary care physicians to earn recognition for their emergency medicine expertise. Traditionally, however, certification in emergency medicine requires residency training in the specialty, which deprives many eminently qualified primary-trained doctors of due recognition. Fortunately, the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP) provides primary care physicians with a certification pathway.
Hospitals and schools that offer emergency medicine fellowships can receive recognition through the AAEP’s Emergency Medicine Fellowship Recognition Program. The AAEP recognizes fellowships that have established a level of training that allows physicians to demonstrate mastery in emergency medical care. An AAEP-recognized program offers a broad scope of training and teaching, such as grand rounds, didactics, and workshops that would be difficult to arrange and support without an educational infrastructure. These fellowship programs also support a larger educational infrastructure, keeping physicians up to date on medical literature and practices.
After completing an AAEP-approved fellowship, primary care physicians are eligible to apply for certification with the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine® (BCEM).
When these doctors achieve BCEM certification, they:
- Become recognized as qualified emergency medicine physicians, positioning themselves as leaders in the healthcare community and expanding their career opportunities
- Enjoy opportunities to exchange information about clinical experiences and best practices
- Have a meaningful voice as a valued participant in the community
If you’re a primary care physician who would like to become board certified in emergency medicine, contact the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), the nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying board that developed the BCEM. We would be happy to give you more information about AAEP-recognized fellowships and the benefits of BCEM certification.