The Importance of Recognizing ABPS Board-Certified Physicians
The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is one of the three most prominent nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying entities in the United States, but it is not as well-known as the ABMS and the AOA. This represents an unfortunate state of affairs. That’s because too many medical organizations fail to recognize eminently qualified medical specialists with ABPS certification. Aside from the impact this can have on their careers, ultimately, it’s patients who are denied the expert care that these physicians provide.
Failing to recognize ABPS certification is deeply unfortunate also when you consider that the standards of the ABPS are no less rigorous than those of the ABMS and the AOA. In fact, since our founding in 1952, we have established some of the highest certification standards in the industry, benefiting physicians, medical organizations, and the public at large. We have long maintained a pragmatic approach to physician board certification, certifying and recertifying both allopathic and osteopathic physicians. We don’t discriminate based on training, and our certification exams are clinically based, posing questions with direct clinical bearing. In effect, qualified physicians who meet our strict eligibility requirements and pass our psychometrically validated exams prove that they have the clinical acumen and problem-solving skills gained from their real-world experience.
Furthermore, to maintain certification, every ABPS Diplomate must adhere to our code of ethics, ensuring that patients receive the safe, quality care they expect from a medical specialist. It’s notable that we are the only major certifying body that requires a non-remedial medical ethics course, which provides physicians with an indispensable guide in their medical practice.
Why the ABPS?
Diplomates of the ABPS can be found in all 50 states, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and many of these specialists have become leaders at renowned institutions. What’s more, the ABPS:
- Is recognized in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook and by the CMS as a choice for physician board certification
- Uses Verisys, one of the nation’s largest healthcare provider credentialing companies
If you would like to learn more about the ABPS, our mission, and our certification board, contact us today.