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Medical Specialty Board Certification From ABPS

Specialty BoardMedical specialty board certification from the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is based on rigorous scientific standards and innovative examination techniques that are designed to demonstrate knowledge and experience in the core competencies involved with each of our 12 specialty boards. When a physician achieves certification through the ABPS, he or she is achieving far more than merely passing a test. Our clinically based exams provide a clear demonstration that a physician is among the elite in the chosen specialty or subspecialty. However, specialty board certification from the ABPS means a lot more than that.

The Advantages of Certification With an ABPS Member Board

ABPS Diplomates always advocate patient care ahead of the business side of medicine. Our Diplomates form a distinguished community of like-minded physicians who prioritize the advancement of patient care and safety, rather than the business of reimbursement and coding. Each ABPS Diplomate is a valued participant in the community whose voice is heard and respected. Experiences are shared with the ABPS community at large, enabling members to learn from the success stories of others.

In addition to promoting open and forthright communication among our members, we believe that it is vital to reach out proactively to hospitals, healthcare organizations, legislators, and the communities where our physicians practice in order to reinforce the importance of placing patients first. In that respect, the ABPS community’s strength and unity enable our Diplomates to make their voices heard in the public arena, thereby helping to shape the future of healthcare.

What’s more, ABPS certification sends a crucial message to patients. When selecting where to receive medical treatment, whether in a hospital, clinic, or private practice, patients frequently evaluate a physician’s credentials. Although there may be several specialists available in a community, certification stands out as a definitive sign of a physician’s experience and expertise. While it should not be the only factor in choosing a specialist, certification plays a vital role in influencing patients’ decisions.

Why the ABPS Is a Leader Among Certification Boards

The ABPS distinguishes itself as the only physician certification board in the U.S. that offers certifications in emerging specialties such as integrative medicine, family medicine obstetrics, and interventional pain management. This highlights our dedication to acknowledging and promoting new medical disciplines. One example of this commitment is our certification path for emergency medicine physicians from primary care backgrounds via a fellowship program. This approach strategically addresses a significant void in the certification landscape and positions the ABPS as a leader in granting specialized recognition to outstanding physicians in a variety of specialties.

Requirements for ABPS Board Certification

To be eligible for ABPS certification, applicants must fulfill general requirements as well as specialty-specific criteria determined by ABPS Member Boards. While these requirements differ across specialties, they are all designed to validate a physician’s skills and knowledge.

Certification for each specialty includes a written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions.

Get More Information About ABPS Certification

If you believe specialty board certification for physicians should be more than a requirement for employment, and believe it is important for physicians to have a more powerful voice as advocates for patient care, contact ABPS to learn more about our certification and recertification process.

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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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