Rural, Primary Care-Trained Physicians Should be Able to Demonstrate their Competence in Emergency Medicine

Rural Emergency MedicineAcross North America, rural hospitals are predominately staffed by primary care-trained physicians. Often, this is due to staff shortages and physicians answering the call of their communities by working in local emergency rooms despite having no residency training in Emergency Medicine. At the American Board of Physician Specialties® and the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicinesm (BCEM), we believe that these highly trained physicians deserve the opportunity to earn board certification in their area of expertise, and our eligibility requirements are such that physicians with extensive, certifiable experience in the emergency room may be considered for board certification.

Board Certification in Emergency Medicine From the ABPS

These days, being board certified in your area of expertise is more important than ever before. Not only do patients recognize board certification as a trusted indicator of a physician’s credibility and credentials, but employers, recruiters, and credentialers are increasingly requiring certification for employment and advancement. With this in mind, it’s a question of fairness for primary care physicians who have significant emergency room experience. We recognize the tremendous commitment that these physicians have made within Emergency Medicine, and we offer the opportunity to pursue board certification in EM provided that the candidate:

  • Has practiced Emergency Medicine for a minimum of five years while accumulating 7,000 hours of ER time
  • Has completed a residency in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, or General Surgery
  • Adheres to the eligibility requirements found here

Emergency Medicine Fellowships for Primary Care Physicians

Additionally, we have developed a standard for training in Emergency Medicine that, when completed over a 12- or 24-month period, can lead directly to board certification. These are fellowship programs that must be approved by the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP). The AAEP recognizes teaching hospitals and medical schools that offer distinguished emergency medicine fellowships for primary care physicians. Completion of an AAEP-approved fellowship enables graduate fellows to apply for certification with the BCEM.

Emergency Medicine Board Certification as a Career Investment

Becoming board certified through the BCEM is an excellent investment into your career, a personal accomplishment that you can be proud of, and an opportunity to join a community of like-minded physician leaders.

Hospitals, practice management groups, and others who employ physicians would do well to advocate board certification. Hiring board-certified physicians demonstrate to current and prospective patients that an organization’s physicians have the expertise required to provide safe and effective medical care. Hiring board-certified physicians makes good business sense, as it fulfills the first duty of a healthcare organization—to provide the best care available.

To learn more about the advantages to board certification, our various eligibility requirements, and why we believe that all rural primary care physicians should consider pursuing board certification, contact the ABPS today. We are the nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying board that developed the BCEM.

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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.

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