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Board Certification for Rural Physicians Through the ABPS

Rural Physician Board CertificationThe American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc., is committed to expanding opportunities for rural physicians to obtain board certification. To our organization, this means helping physicians who practice in rural areas demonstrate their mastery of the knowledge and experience required for their chosen specialties. This, in turn, helps ensure that patients reap the benefits of enhanced public health standards to further patient care.

Many doctors who live and work in rural areas practice as family physicians, a segment of the outpatient physician workforce that, by necessity, generally is adept at a broad range of skills. Unfortunately, studies show that rural areas are grossly underserved medically. One reason for that is many physicians find that their career paths are more lucrative if they work in urban areas, or stay in the cities where their residencies took place. But where does that leave patients who live in rural areas, each and every one of whom deserves to be treated by an experienced, board certified physician?

One way to address this issue is a heightened emphasis on rural physician board certification. Rural and urban patients often face similar lifestyle-related health issues such as obesity and drug abuse. However, rural areas encounter unique challenges like snake bites and limited access to primary healthcare. Primary care physicians, with their broad skill sets and strong clinical backgrounds, are particularly well-equipped for emergency rooms in rural areas. The extensive patient interaction during their residencies equips them to efficiently diagnose and treat a variety of patients. Indeed, many primary care doctors have become leaders in emergency departments nationwide.

Why Certify With an ABPS Member Board?

As a multi-specialty certifying organization, the ABPS understands the importance of specialized training or certification to ensure rural communities have access to competent physicians. That’s why we offer board certification across a wide range of specialties, from traditional fields like family medicine to newer specialties such as integrative medicine. Additionally, experienced emergency physicians who have completed either an appropriate residency or a recognized post-graduate fellowship may qualify to apply for certification with our Member Board, the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine® (BCEM).

Eligibility Requirements of the BCEM

At the BCEM, we provide an opportunity for qualified emergency room physicians to achieve board certification in emergency medicine. To qualify for initial certification through the BCEM, candidates must first meet the overarching requirements set by the ABPS, which include:

  • Graduating from an accredited U.S. or Canadian allopathic or osteopathic medical school.
  • Possessing a valid and unrestricted medical license in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

Additionally, the BCEM sets specific eligibility criteria for primary care physicians, which are:

  • Completion of an ACGME, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC residency in family practice, internal medicine, pediatric medicine, or general surgery, coupled with a minimum of five years of full-time emergency medicine experience.
  • Completion of an ACGME, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC residency in one of the listed primary care specialties, followed by a 12- or 24-month emergency medicine fellowship approved by the BCEM.

You can find a list of fellowships approved by the BCEM here.

Apply to the BCEM

The ABPS invites qualified rural physicians to apply for certification in emergency medicine. As a nationally recognized choice for board certification, we are committed to improving healthcare by giving qualified allopathic and osteopathic physicians a path toward board certification. To learn more about the BCEM and its eligibility requirements, contact the ABPS today.

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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.

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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