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Medical Staff Bylaws Need to Be Kept up to Date

Medical Staff Bylaws Need to Be Kept Up to DateMedical staff bylaws serve to help hospitals and healthcare organizations establish and maintain their quality of patient care. Unfortunately, the bylaws of some organizations may deny staff privileges to eminently qualified physicians, specifically those certified by any board that is not associated with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is calling for a change. We encourage more healthcare organizations to update their bylaws to include the ABPS and give patients access to the world-class medical care that our Diplomates provide.

What You Should Know About the ABPS

Founded in 1952, the ABPS is a valid and recognized choice in the medical community for physician board certification, with 12 Member Boards offering certification and recertification for a variety of specialties. Our rigorous certification process is designed to ensure that only the most skilled, knowledgeable, and committed physicians become ABPS Diplomates. In addition to meeting strict eligibility requirements, candidates must pass a comprehensive, psychometrically-validated certification exam. Once certified, Diplomates must complete several hours of evidenced-based continuing medical education (CME) annually and a non-remedial medical ethics course every eight years. The ABPS believes that the health care needs of the public are best served when physicians continually demonstrate their mastery of the knowledge required to practice their specialty.

Rigorous Certification Standards Have Earned the ABPS National Recognition

The U.S. Department of Labor has taken note of our standards and recently redefined the definition of multispecialty physician board certification to specifically include the ABPS alongside the ABMS and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).  What’s more, leading healthcare and credentialing entities such as Greely, HCPro, and the National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) recognize the ABPS as a choice in board certification.

In addition, ABPS Member Boards are listed in the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare’s (CAQH) Proview application. CAQH is a platform that gathers enrollment and credentialing data in a single repository for participating health plans and other healthcare organizations.

ABPS Diplomates Have Boosted the Reputation of U.S. Hospitals

The ABPS understands that credentialing involves more than verifying board certification, but when bylaws exclude ABPS Diplomates, despite their well-demonstrated skills and talent, healthcare organizations miss opportunities to hire specialists who are among the finest in their fields. These specialists have bolstered the reputation of medical facilities throughout the country.

Key Aspects of the ABPS to Remember

The ABPS believes that if medical organizations want a strong candidate pool for available positions, they should consider Diplomates of the ABPS and keep these vital points about the ABPS in mind:

  • We uphold rigorous standards: The ABPS maintains certification and recertification standards equivalent to those of ABMS and AOA, ensuring top-quality medical professionals.
  • We have a clinical focus: ABPS Member Boards prioritize clinical knowledge over medical politics in their examinations, emphasizing practical expertise.
  • We offer unique recertifications: The ABPS is the sole multi-specialty body that recertifies qualified diplomates of ABMS and AOA.
  • We enjoy widespread recognition: ABPS Diplomates practice in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

If your organization does not currently recognize the ABPS, we urge you to update your bylaws to conform to the current standard of physician board certification. For more information about the ABPS and our commitment to preparing physicians to provide nothing less than exceptional medical care, contact us today.

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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.

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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