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On Being an Integrative Medicine Physician

Integrative MedicineIntegrative Medicine physicians are, by nature, forward thinking. They work with their patients to not only address current problems, but also to identify and address risk factors that could potentially lead to future conditions. This partnership between physician and patient is extremely important as it develops a relationship of trust where both parties actively work together to help the patient achieve optimal health and wellness through all available means. Integrative Medicine physicians have traditional medical backgrounds but also have made a commitment to holistic, complementary, and alternative methods to help each patient improve their mind, body, and soul.

Vivian Kominos, MD, FACC of Meridian Health is an Integrative Medicine physician as well as a cardiologist, giving her a unique insight into patient care. As she describes it in this Meridian Health video, her approach to treating patients as an Integrative Medicine physician is to not only “ask about the patient’s symptoms but to also ask about their childhood illnesses; about their genetics; about their environment; about their lifestyle.” That’s because, according to a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, “86 percent of all healthcare spending in 2010 was for people with one or more chronic medical conditions.” The idea driving Integrative Medicine is that if a physician can help identify the conditions that a patient may be at risk for, they can recommend lifestyle changes and therapies before these conditions develop. This not only benefits the patient but also can help alleviate some of the burden placed on the healthcare system as a whole.

To provide the best possible treatment, Integrative Medicine physicians are open to using all methods available. As ABPS Diplomate Dr. Kominos further explains, “we are using medication when necessary, diagnostic procedures were necessary, surgeries were necessary, but also use less invasive and more natural approaches to health and disease” when appropriate. Click here to learn more about Dr. Kominos.

Core Principles of Integrative Medicine

Ultimately, integrative medicine physicians are committed to evaluating the whole person, not just a symptom or disease. By doing so, a physician can best understand a patient’s current health and work with them to improve the mind, body, and spirit. As integrative medicine gains broader acceptance, its foundational principles remain consistent. These are:

  • To consider all factors that influence health, wellness, and disease.
  • To employ both conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body’s innate healing response.
  • To favor less invasive and less harmful interventions when appropriate, while treating the individual as a whole rather than just the disease.
  • To uphold that medicine is based on solid science, is driven by inquiry, and remains open to new paradigms.
  • To view healthcare as a collaborative partnership between the physician and the patient.

Integrative Medicine Certification From the ABPS

At the American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM), a Member Board developed by the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), we provide board certification to the most highly qualified and experienced Integrative Medicine physicians in the specialty.  The ABPS is the only multi-specialty certifying board in the United States to offer integrative medicine board certification.

Benefits of ABOIM Integrative Medicine Certification

Integrative medicine certification with the ABPS involves meeting eligibility criteria and passing a challenging computer-based exam. Once certified, however, physicians become respected leaders in integrative medicine as ABPS Diplomates. This nationally recognized certification not only connects you with a community of physicians dedicated to advancing patient care and integrative medicine but also opens doors for career growth and job market mobility. It demonstrates your commitment to integrative medicine, showcasing your expertise to potential patients and colleagues.

For more information about the ABOIM, contact the ABPS today.

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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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