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How Rural Hospitals and Practices Can Attract Additional Qualified Physicians

Small Rural Areas Hospital A national study of the emergency physician workforce in 2020 found that, of the 48,835 clinically active emergency physicians in the United States, 92% (44,908) practice in urban areas and just 8% (3,927) practice in rural communities. The study, which was published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, also found that most emergency physicians in small rural areas completed their medical training more than 20 years ago. When you consider that the median age for emergency physicians in large rural communities is 58 years old, and 62 years old in smaller rural communities—near the U.S. retirement age—you can understand why rural hospitals and practices would want to attract qualified physicians.

Given the ongoing demand for physicians in all U.S. emergency departments, how can rural areas attract and retain top talent? A focus on hiring qualified primary care physicians may be the answer. Currently, about half of the nation’s emergency department workforce has completed a residency in a primary care field, and many of these physicians have substantial experience in emergency medicine.

A Focus on Primary Care Physicians

While rural and urban patients share many of the same lifestyle-related health problems, like obesity and drug abuse, some issues like snake bites or inadequate access to primary medical care are unique to the rural setting. Primary care physicians are ideally suited for the ER—especially in rural areas. Primary care doctors usually have a diverse skill set and a strong clinical background, and the high volume of patients they typically see as part of their residency prepare them to rapidly diagnose and treat patients of all ages and conditions. In fact, thousands of primary care physicians have become leaders in emergency departments across the country.

To attract qualified physicians, administrators of rural hospitals and practices can promote the benefits of working in rural America, such as:

  • The small-town atmosphere that offers the chance for a personal connection between physicians and patients
  • A low patient population that gives physicians more time to familiarize themselves with patients’ medical needs
  • Affordable housing
  • The relatively low crime rate
  • Outdoor recreational opportunities like camping, hiking, and bicycling

As a multi-specialty certification body that believes advanced training or certification is needed to ensure rural areas have access to well-trained physicians, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) offers physician board certification in a variety of specialties, from traditional fields like family medicine to emerging specialties like integrative medicine. Furthermore, career emergency physicians with substantial experience, and either an appropriate residency or completion of an approved post-graduate fellowship, may be eligible to apply with our Member Board, the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine® (BCEM).

The ABPS Is a Nationally Recognized Certification Board

Recognized in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook, the ABPS has also earned recognition from other federal organizations, including the Veterans’ Health Administration and the United States Armed Forces under the GI Bill. Our goal is to provide practicing physicians with an opportunity to thoroughly demonstrate their base of knowledge, professional skill, and commitment to ongoing education and training through world-class certification and recertification.

Eligibility Requirements of the ABPS

While each of the 12 Member Boards of the ABPS has its own eligibility requirements, there are several general requirements that they all share, including:

  • Completion of an accredited residency
  • Attestation of an unrestricted medical license
  • Completion of a non-remedial medical ethics course
  • Completion of between 15 and 50 hours of continuing medical education for recertification

ABPS Certification Exams

Candidates for certification by an ABPS Member Board must pass a computer-based, written examination to earn board certification. Some Member Boards also require an oral exam. The written examination for each ABPS Member Board is multiple-choice format and developed by certified physicians as subject matter experts. Written exams take place under standardized conditions across an expansive network of secure testing sites throughout the United States and Canada in May, August, or October, depending on the specialty. Oral exams are offered once a year virtually. For specialties requiring oral examinations, candidates must first successfully pass a written exam.

For more information about the ABPS, contact us today. We would be happy to give you details about our eligibility requirements and the benefits of ABPS certification.

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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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