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Board Certification and Recertification for Family Medicine Obstetrics

Family Medicine ObstetricsAs family medicine obstetrics continues to gain ground as a recognized and needed medical specialty, it becomes more and more crucial for physicians who choose this specialty to have the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in the core competencies and experience required to provide patients the highest quality of care and treatment. The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) responded to that need by establishing the Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics (BCFMO).

The BCFMO recognizes that physicians who practice family medicine obstetrics provide full OB care as part of their family practices, and therefore require an examination, certification, and recertification system that addresses and recognizes the scope of the practices they manage. The BCFMO also understands that many family medicine physicians gain an advanced level of training and experience through recognized fellowship programs or their historical equivalent. Family medicine obstetrics board certification through the BCFMO has been developed specifically to meet this need.

BCFMO board certification is comparable and equivalent with other nationally recognized certification bodies. In fact, the development of the BCFMO was undertaken by dedicated family medicine physicians from the United States and Canada, some of whom are dual-boarded through the ABPS, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), or the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS).

Eligibility Requirements of the BCFMO

The BCFMO has two distinct tracks for board certification—clinical practice and fellowship.

Eligibility requirements for the clinical practice track include completing an accredited ACGME, AOA, or CFPC residency or an AOA internship, plus an AOA general medicine residency and at least two years full-time experience in family medicine and 300 hours of CME acceptable to the BCFMO.

Requirements for the fellowship track include satisfactorily completing within the last five years a 12-month, full-time fellowship recognized by the BCFMO and having performed at least 100 vaginal deliveries and 70 cesarean sections.

After applicants are deemed eligible, they must pass both a written and oral examination to earn board certification with the BCFMO. These rigorous exams ensure that only dedicated physicians who are skilled at performing all of the delivery and post-delivery responsibilities associated with the OB/GYN specialty become BCFMO certified.

Once granted, BCFMO certification is good for eight years, expiring on December 31 of the eighth year.

The BCFMO Mission: A Dedication to Exceptional Maternity Care

The mission of the BCFMO is to provide qualified physicians practicing family medicine obstetrics who have completed advanced training in maternity care (including operative obstetrics) the opportunity to demonstrate the highest degree of quality and a core body of knowledge that is conveyed by certification in family medicine alone. The BCFMO is completely dedicated to women’s health, and facilitates continual learning among family medicine physicians caring for pregnant patients.

For information about BCFMO certification and recertification requirements, 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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