The Importance of AAEP Fellowship Recognition According to Site Inspector Muhammad Ahmed, MD, FAAEP

Muhammad Ahmed, MD, FAAEPThere are several postgraduate training programs that offer emergency medicine fellowships to physicians who have finished a primary care residency and are interested in emergency medicine. With the relative shortage of residency-trained emergency physicians, especially in rural areas, the number of these fellowships has increased significantly in the last few years.

The American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP) saw the need to recognize these EM fellowships, which are doing an excellent job of training the fellows. AAEP recognition provides benefits to both the fellows and the programs. For fellows, we ensure that they continue to receive top-notch training. In addition, AAEP recognition makes them eligible for certification through the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). With our collective knowledge and experience, the AAEP helps programs by offering recommendations on best practices.

We take several factors into account when we inspect a fellowship program. We visit the ED and the hospital to make sure that the program has a qualified and adequate teaching staff, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes didactics, ultrasound learning, trauma management, pediatrics, adequate procedural training, and exposure to enough volume and pathology.

The AAEP anticipated the increased demand for EM fellowships and responded by recruiting and training more inspectors. We also have made our inspection processes more comprehensive yet more efficient for programs as well as inspectors.

If you are a director thinking of establishing an EM fellowship program, I congratulate you on joining a unique group of dedicated leaders who are helping to raise the quality of emergency medicine across the country. It does require dedication and commitment from you as well as the key leaders in the ED and the hospital, but the AAEP can help you with advice and practical solutions to the unique issues of this endeavor.

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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.

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
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