Why It Is Important for a Physician to Be Board Certified in a Specialty

Physician Board CertifiedA physician who is board certified in his or her chosen specialty automatically is afforded an extra level of respect from patients, peers, and potential employers. Achieving board certification is proof that the physician has mastered the knowledge and core competencies necessary to provide the best patient care possible.

Why is it important? Because patients deserve to know that their physicians have mastered the specialty, and healthcare employers want to know the same thing before they make a new hire. It is about engendering confidence in the health care industry as a whole, as well as confidence in the expertise of an individual physician specialist. It also is about a physician’s career – board certification is considered mandatory for credentialing by many health plans.

The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) provides a physician who wishes to become board certified a broad selection of 18 specialties. ABPS exams are developed using the most rigorous standards for measuring the knowledge base and skill set required to provide the absolute best patient care available. The Member Boards of the ABPS administer written, oral, and simulation-based board certification exams in:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Dermatology
  • Diagnostic Radiology
  • Disaster Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Family Medicine Obstetrics
  • Family Practice
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Psychiatry
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Surgery
  • Urgent Care

A physician might also wish to become board certified through the ABPS in order to become part of a diverse, eminent community of his or her peers. The priority of this distinguished group of physicians is the advancement of patient care and safety, to which end best practices and clinical experiences are shared in the name of education. In addition, every ABPS Diplomate has access to many leadership opportunities within the organization, and every voice is heard and valued.

To learn more about the benefits of physician board certification through the ABPS, contact us today. The ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.

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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.

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