The Future of Urgent Care Medicine

The Future of Urgent Care Medicine According to a report in the January 2019 issue of The Journal of Urgent Care Medicine, the number of primary care physicians in the United States is expected to decline significantly in the coming decade. For urgent care centers, this will yield a special challenge. Already many of them are staffed by physicians who are certified in primary care fields like family medicine or internal medicine, and the fact that hospital-based urgent care centers continue to prioritize hiring physicians certified in that emerging specialty only complicates the challenge.

Centers may advertise that their physicians are board certified, but that doesn’t mean they are certified in urgent care medicine. In North America, the only multispecialty certifying body that offers physician certification in urgent care is the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). To distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace, practicing urgent care physicians can seek certification through the Board of Certification in Urgent Care Medicine (BCUCM), a Member Board of the ABPS.

As urgent care centers evolve to meet patients’ demands for the convenience that these centers provide, the need for doctors certified in this specialty will only increase. Certification through the BCUCM allows physicians who practice urgent care full-time to demonstrate their expertise in providing high-level diagnostic services and treatment at an urgent care center.

To earn BCUCM certification, candidates must meet stringent eligibility requirements and pass rigorous psychometrically evaluated exams. As a result, only the most skilled and dedicated practitioners become BCUCM Diplomates. In the medical industry, physician certification is a mark of distinction, and BCUCM Diplomates are considered leaders in their field who boost the reputation of urgent care centers and provide patients with confidence in the quality of urgent care centers’ services.

In general, allopathic and osteopathic physicians in the United States and Canada who are residency-trained and who currently practice urgent care full time are eligible to apply for certification through the BCUCM. For more information about eligibility requirements, or about how the BCUCM can expand your career opportunities in urgent care medicine, 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.

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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