ABPS Board Certification in Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine Can Help Hospital Executives Mitigate the Physician Shortage

Hiring PhysiciansHospital administrators face many challenges in the early 21st century as the American healthcare system evolves to meet the requirements of an ever-changing population base. Managing a hospital might never have been more complicated than it is now. Even as treatment methods become more advanced and anticipated outcomes improve daily, the changing healthcare landscape is trickier than ever for hospital CEOs to navigate.

Yet, one issue confronting hospital CEOs – the ongoing, system-wide shortage of qualified physicians – can be directly addressed, in part, by the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). In a recent survey conducted by medical staffing company AMN Healthcare, 86 percent of 400 hospital CEOs who participated said that they are currently recruiting physicians. In a related question, 94 percent of CEOs surveyed admitted that recruiting physicians is difficult and/or challenging.

How can the ABPS help?

Hospital CEOs who are concerned about the depth of the physician talent pool might actually find themselves limited by the very policies that are meant to help ensure the best medical care possible. Physician board certification is a crucial method for demonstrating that a physician possesses the knowledge base, skill set, and experience to deliver the best possible care in a given specialty. In some cases, a hospital’s hiring policies might actually be limited to only one multi-specialty certifying body. This is short sighted, but is easily remedied.

The ABPS embraces a wider acceptance for the practice of qualified primary care physicians with significant hospital practice and/or emergency department experience to earn physician board certification in a relevant specialty such as hospital medicine or emergency medicine. The ABPS developed the nation’s only comprehensive and dedicated board of certification governed by hospitalists, the American Board of Hospital Medicine (ABHM). The standards of the ABHM and all ABPS Member Boards are rigorous, and applicants must pledge to abide by the organization’s code of ethics.

If you are a hospital CEO or represent a recruiting agent for a hospital and would like to learn more about how the ABPS can help mitigate the physician shortage crisis, contact us today.

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June 10-15, 2022
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.

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