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Why Physician Board Certification Matters

Physician Board CertificaitonThe achievement of physician board certification provides different values to different stakeholders. Patients, physicians, practice management groups, and others with an interest in healthcare have differing interpretations about why board certification matters. Make no mistake, though: It does matter to anyone who cares about the effectiveness of the American healthcare system and the advancement of public health.

It starts with patients. The basic mission of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is to make sure that patients everywhere receive the best possible care. Physicians who achieve board certification from an ABPS Member Board also reach out proactively to healthcare organizations, hospitals, legislators, and the communities where members practice in order to reinforce the importance of placing patients first. In that respect, the ABPS community’s strength and unity enable our Diplomates to make their voices heard in the public arena, thereby helping shape the future of healthcare in North America.

The “Big Tent” Approach of the ABPS Community

When physicians earn board certification through the ABPS, they join a distinguished community of like-minded professionals who prioritize the advancement of patient care and safety, rather than the business side of medicine. In order to strengthen the cause and increase its visibility, the ABPS community of board certified physicians takes a “big tent” approach to medicine that provides opportunities for all Diplomates to share in the advocacy for improved patient care. Every ABPS Diplomate is a valued member of a community whose voice is heard and respected. Best practices are shared with the ABPS community at large, providing Diplomates the opportunity to learn from the successes of others.

Benefits of Hiring Board-Certified Physicians

Hospitals, practice management groups, urgent care centers, and others who employ physicians would do well to advocate board certification for a number of reasons. Primarily, hiring board certified physicians demonstrates to patients and prospective patients that the service they can expect to receive will be provided by physicians who have proven they have mastered the core competencies required to provide the best care possible. In effect, board-certified specialists lend their organizations prestige that allows them to stand out in today’s competitive healthcare marketplace. Furthermore, board-certified physicians provide their colleagues the assurance that they are working with highly skilled and knowledgeable medical professionals who stay updated on the most recent and effective treatment strategies. In short, engaging board certified physicians makes good business sense, as well as fulfilling the first duty of a healthcare organization – to provide the best care available.

Learn More About the ABPS

The ABPS strives to offer physicians in a variety of medical disciplines the opportunity to demonstrate their base of knowledge, expertise, and dedication to ongoing learning and training through board certification. Our strict eligibility criteria, combined with psychometrically validated exams that adhere to the highest industry standards, ensure that only the most talented and committed physicians can achieve ABPS board certification. For more information about our mission to offer the highest standards in physician board certification, contact the ABPS.

 

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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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