Urgent Care Physicians: Stand Out from the Crowd

Urgent Care CertificationAs urgent care medicine continues to grow in popularity, physicians who have dedicated themselves to the specialty are increasingly looking for ways to distinguish themselves from the competition, and one excellent way to do this is by pursuing board certification through the Board Certification in Urgent Care Medicine (BCUCM), a member board of the American Board of Physician Specialties®. Board certification clearly demonstrates to potential patients and the public that you are a recognized expert in the field of urgent care medicine and have the extensive experience and expertise needed to provide the highest quality of care.

To be eligible for board certification through the BCUCM, applicants must have completed an osteopathic or allopathic residency and, depending on the specific residency completed, have practiced urgent care medicine on a full-time basis for either two or five consecutive years. For a full list of the eligibility requirements, click here.

In addition to having extensive firsthand experience, physician candidates must successfully complete a written examination that consists of 300 multiple-choice questions. This exam is administered over two three-hour sessions and includes questions that cover a number of different subject areas, including:

  • Infectious diseases and travel medicine
  • Cardiovascular disorders
  • Pediatrics
  • Wound care, anesthesia, other clinical procedures and skills
  • Research, epidemiology, and evidence-based medicine
  • Occupational medicine
  • Triage and stabilization of critically ill patients
  • Orthopedics and sports medicine
  • And more

For a complete list of the subject matter covered in the BCUCM written examination, click here.

The BCUCM will administer its 2016 examination in October, and the deadline to submit your application is April 1st. If you are interested in pursuing board certification next year, don’t delay. Contact the ABPS or BCUCM today to learn more about our eligibility requirements and to learn about the benefits to becoming board certified in urgent care medicine. The ABPS is the official board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc®.

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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.

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
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