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What is a Hospitalist?

What is a HospitalistA hospitalist is a physician who has dedicated his or her to career to providing care to hospitalized patients. By focusing exclusively on patients in a traditional hospital setting, these physicians have unique insight into what it takes to provide the best possible care to patients in their hospital. Hospitalists typically spend their entire shift in the hospital, making them readily available to their patients, unlike generalists who may see very little of a patient during their rounds. This accessibility allows hospitalists to anticipate the needs of their patients, forge a stronger relationship, and help hospital leaders improve the quality of care provided.

At the American Board of Physician Specialties®, we recognize the vital role that hospitalists serve in American hospitals, and we have developed the only comprehensive and dedicated board of certification for hospital medicine that is governed by hospitalists for hospitalists: the American Board of Hospital Medicine® (ABHM). Rather than relegating hospital medicine to a subspecialty, we felt it prudent along with hospitalist physician leaders to establish a dedicated board that recognizes physicians who have demonstrated their mastery of the core competencies of hospital medicine.

In order to be eligible for board certification through the ABHM, interested physicians must:

  • Have completed residency training in an approved ACGME, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC program
  • Hold current board certification in family practice, internal medicine, or emergency medicine, or have completed an ABHM-approved fellowship program. Additional information, including requirements for physicians in Canada, can be found here.
  • Provide verification of having managed a minimum of 50 patients in the last 12 months
  • Submit documented case reports
  • Verify hospital privileges with a letter detailing active privileges signed by the Chief of the Department, Chair of the Credentialing Committee, or Chief of Staff
  • Be ACLS-certified

While the eligibility requirements for becoming a board certified hospitalist are rigorous, the benefits to becoming board certified in hospital medicine are significant. Increasingly, hospital groups are prioritizing hiring board certified physicians and medical specialists with proven firsthand experience in hospital medicine are in high demand. Our Diplomates are leaders in hospital medicine and have a proven track record of helping hospitals better meet the needs of their patients while improving the quality of care and improving operational efficiency.

To learn more about what it means to be a hospitalist and the eligibility requirements for board certification, contact us today. 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.

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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