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Having a Choice for Physician Board Recertification Benefits Patients, Physicians and the Health Care System

Maintenance of CertificationOpponents of the annual maintenance of certification (MOC) system espoused by other multi-specialty board certification bodies can look for an effective option in the recertification process employed by the member boards of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). When physicians are given a choice in how they maintain their board certification, rather than being compelled to slot into one uncompromising system, the benefits extend to patients and the healthcare system as a whole.

Whereas the MOC system has received pushback from the American Medical Association and thousands of physicians nationwide, the ABPS system of recertification is a proven method for ensuring that board certified physicians are doing what they should to maintain the level of knowledge and experience required to provide the finest medical care available in their individual specialties. It is important to note that physicians with current certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) are eligible to apply for recertification with the appropriate ABPS member board. In addition to the rigorous professional eligibility standards for ABPS certification and recertification, all ABPS member boards require that Diplomates complete a medical ethics course that serves to reinforce the pledge that every ABPS Diplomate takes to adhere to the organization’s code of ethics.

The ABPS code of ethics requires that physicians promise:

  • To maintain the highest standard of personal conduct
  • To promote and encourage the highest level of medical ethics
  • To maintain loyalty to the goals and objectives of the ABPS
  • To recognize and fulfill the personal responsibility and the responsibility of those who practice the profession to uphold the laws and regulations relating to the practice of medicine
  • To strive for excellence in all aspects of medical practice
  • To use only legal and ethical means in the provision of care for patients
  • To provide patient care impartially; provide no special privilege to any individual patient based on the patient’s race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or handicap
  • To accept no personal compensation from any party that would influence or require special consideration in the provision of care to any patient

This commitment to quality health care ahead of the business of medicine is a foundational tenet of the ABPS parent organization, the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS). The AAPS believes that having a choice in physician board certification and recertification is good for healthcare, good for physicians and, by extension, good for patients because by providing options, it can help reduce the costs of recertification.

To learn more about an alternative to the MOC process, contact the ABPS, the official multi-specialty board certification body of the AAPS.

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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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