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ABOIM Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the value of being board certified in Integrative Medicine?

Certification is an important next step after your training in any specialty. The American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) was created for physicians to be able to present themselves to the public as trained medical specialists in integrative medicine. Successfully completing the exam indicates mastery of integrative medicine skills and knowledge.

ABOIM offers free public confirmation of its Diplomates certification to patients and the public. ABOIM board certification is also listed in Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare, Inc. (CAQH).

ABOIM has developed a Diplomate Mark to identify physicians who have obtained certification from ABOIM and serves as a visual symbol of demonstrated achievement and a credential verifying the physician’s skills and experience.

I have a question about my eligibility to apply for board certification. What process does the Board have to review it?

Information regarding eligibility can be found on the Integrative Medicine Eligibility page of the ABPS website. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements as application fees are non-refundable. An application, including all required documentation must then be submitted by the posted deadlines through the Integrative Medicine Application page of the ABPS website. ABPS Certification staff reviews the applications for completeness and prepares the files for the Board to review. Once the Board completes the review, ABPS staff will relay the approval status and exam registration information to the applicant.

What review courses should I take in preparation for my ABOIM exam?

ABPS does not sponsor, support, endorse, or recommend any particular review course, study program, review materials or other Board Exam preparatory materials. The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is also not affiliated with any course provider. Any advertisement or promotional matter which states or implies sponsorship, support, endorsement, approval, affiliation with, or recommendation by ABPS or its affiliate, the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) is unauthorized and should be brought to the immediate attention of ABPS.

To assist candidates looking for review course or study options, ABOIM has compiled a comprehensive listing of organizations that provide review courses, books, or self-study programs. The information listed below is subject to change and candidates should contact the organization directly for the most current information and offerings.

Review Courses

Academy of Integrative & Health Medicine

How does the board address questions and comments that candidates submit on board exam questions?

The Board reviews and considers the comments made by candidates regarding specific items on the examination that relate to possibly incorrect or ambiguous content, as well as any anomalies found in how the items performed. Any necessary corrections resulting from the Board’s review are made and applied to all candidates’ scores prior to releasing the results. This thorough review/rescoring process is why results can take up to 60 days following the end of the testing window to be released.

What CME qualifies for ABOIM recertification?

The ABOIM has developed a list of examples of the types of CME that would be acceptable, as well as a list of specific sources of CME would meet the recertification requirements. Please refer to the Recertification Requirements and Application page of the ABPS website for further details.

I am currently certified by ABOIM, how can I become involved and serve on the Board?

If you are interested in serving on the ABOIM Board, please contact the ABPS offices at info@abpsus.org or (813) 433 -227 to request an application that must be submitted along with your CV for review by the Board.

What states recognize ABPS and ABOIM Board Certification?

Today in the U.S. and its territories, there are seventy (70) state medical boards — some state medical boards are composed of an allopathic board and an osteopathic board while others are combined as one, called a “composite board.” Of the 70 state boards, the vast majority do not differentiate between any of the three nationally recognized multi-specialty boards of certification (ABMS, ABPS, AOABOS).

The remaining boards, approximately sixteen (16), have established specific rules for physician advertising by which boards have to petition and receive permission for physicians to be able to advertise themselves as “board certified.” ABPS /AAPS is recognized by 7 of the 16 state medical boards.

For specific information please contact the External Affairs Department at ABPS. (813) 433-2277 or info@abpsus.org

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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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