Integrative Medicine Candidates and Diplomates Should Check Out Frequently Asked Questions About ABOIM®
The American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM) was established to give physicians who practice this evidence-based specialty the means to present themselves as qualified specialists who provide the best patient care possible. Governed by the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), the ABOIM welcomed its inaugural class of board-certified integrative medicine specialists in 2015 and has certified hundreds more since.
Physicians certified by ABOIM work at some of the finest institutions across the country, offering patients medical care that focuses on the root causes of illness and not the symptoms. To help patients improve their health and prevent illness, integrative medicine practitioners take into account all aspects of a patient’s life. Instead of simply relying on pharmacological treatment, practitioners may recommend changes in a patient’s lifestyle, targeting everything from nutrition and exercise to stress reduction and sleep. Integrative medicine treatment encompasses art therapy, sound therapy, yoga, meditation, and much more.
As an emerging specialty, integrative medicine continues to evolve, but its foundational tenets remain constant. These include:
- The principle that good medicine is based on good science
- The use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare modalities, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing
- The practice of medicine that reaffirms the relationship between practitioner and patient
If you would like to learn more about the ABOIM’s certification process, including eligibility requirements, exam preparation, and CME acceptable for recertification, click here to read the ABOIM’s Frequently Asked Questions page. As a nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying board, the ABPS is the only multi-specialty board in the United States that offers integrative medicine board certification.