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Importance of Integrative Medicine Board Certification

Integrative Medicine Board Certification ImportanceThe American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) established the American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM) to recognize highly competent, experienced physicians through a standardized board certification process. Today, Diplomates of the ABOIM represent some of the most highly trained and experienced Integrative Medicine specialists in North America, and their patients, peers, and employers recognize their mastery of the core competencies that define this branch of medicine.

The field of Integrative Medicine has evolved dramatically over the last several decades. As Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., explains, this time was necessary to “create competencies so that we could say ‘this is what a well-trained physician in IM should know.’ We now have an academic consortium of medical schools and health science centers – more than 50 of them; this is a reflection of the fact that this field has grown to a place where we really need this kind of recognition and certification.”

Yet, when any medical field grows as rapidly as Integrative Medicine has, it is important to establish processes in order to identify and recognize physicians who have the verifiable expertise and experience in the specialty area. The formation of the ABOIM was a significant step in the growth of Integrative Medicine. According to Randy Horwitz, M.D., this member board “adds credibility to the field in that there’s rigorous testing involved and rigorous standards that are established for physicians and clinicians in the field.” It is because of these rigorous requirements that Board Certified physicians are accepted by the public as leaders in their chosen career path.

Board Certification has been, and will continue to be, a trusted indicator of a physician’s expertise. Considering the rapid growth seen in Integrative Medicine, and the clear demand from the public for Integrative Medicine physicians, the formation of the ABOIM was an essential step toward taking “this emerging field to a new level of recognition and credibility both for the general public and the broader academic setting,” according to Scott Shannon, M.D.

Board Certification in Integrative Medicine Through the ABOIM

To qualify for certification in integrative medicine, candidates must first meet the general requirements set by the ABPS. These include graduating from an accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school in the U.S., Canada, or internationally, and holding an unrestricted medical license in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

The ABOIM also specifies additional eligibility criteria:

  • Completion of a residency accredited by ACGME, AOA, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
  • Holding current or prior board certification from a member board of the ABPS, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC.
  • Completion of an integrative medicine fellowship approved by the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health.
  • Submission of an up-to-date curriculum vitae detailing medical education, degrees earned, and work experience.
  • Provision of three letters of recommendation from Diplomates of the ABPS, ABMS, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC.
  • Completion of a self-query of the National Practitioner Data Bank and submission of the report.

After meeting these requirements, candidates are required to pass a computer-based written examination to obtain ABOIM board certification. This certification is valid for eight years, expiring on December 31 of the eighth year.

To learn more about becoming board certified through the ABPS and the specific benefits to becoming an ABOIM Diplomate, contact us today. We would be happy to answer your questions and give you more details about our eligibility requirements.

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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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