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Why Is Physician Choice in Board Certification Important?

Physician ChoiceIf you are a physician specialist who is considering pursuing board certification, it is important to remember that you have a choice of several different physician certifying organizations. In fact, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS) and the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) all have sterling reputations and are recognized as the three primary multi-specialty physician certifying organizations in the country. Yet, while all three have similar, rigorous eligibility requirements and strong reputations, there are some factors that differentiate the organizations, which is why it is so important for you to do your research before choosing one over the other two.

What Are the Advantages of Earning Board Certification Through the ABPS?

At the ABPS, for instance, we have developed an excellent reputation within the medical community for our commitment to our network of Diplomates, which extends across all 50 states and into both Canada and Puerto Rico. Here are some advantages to board certification from one of our member boards:

Of the three primary multi-specialty physician certifying organizations, we are the smallest, which allows us to be more responsive to each individual Diplomate and offer increased opportunities to seek leadership opportunities and involvement in the process.

We work hard to provide our Diplomates a voice within the community and help share best practices, success stories, and learning moments among physicians to improve patient care as a whole.

ABPS is a strong advocate for its Diplomates and is extremely active working with legislators, healthcare organizations, hospital groups, and other decision-makers to ensure that our community is well represented and heard.

Most importantly, ABPS certification communicates the right message to patients. When deciding where to seek medical treatment, whether at a hospital, clinic, or private practice, patients often consider a physician’s credentials. While there may be multiple specialists to choose from in a community, certification serves as a clear indicator of a physician’s experience and expertise. While certification shouldn’t be the sole factor in selecting a physician specialist, it carries significant weight in patients’ decision-making.

ABPS: A Nationally Recognized Physician Certification Board

As you weigh your options for board certification, here are some key points about the ABPS to consider:

  • We have 12 Member Boards offering certification in various specialties, from family medicine and internal medicine to newer fields like integrative medicine and family medicine obstetrics.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook now includes ABPS as a board certification option.
  • Several state medical boards use strict language accepting and recognizing ABPS as a certifying body meeting their high standards.
  • ABPS certification exams, procedures, and protocols are clinically, psychometrically, and legally sound, comparable to those set by ABMS and AOA.
  • Leading credentialing organizations like Greely, HCPro, and NAMSS acknowledge ABPS as a valid choice for physician certification.

Of course, it’s up to you to learn about the various member boards and identify the organization that is best aligned with your core values and priorities. To learn more about the ABPS and the opportunities that our organization can offer you, contact us today.

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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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