Why is it Important to Become Board Certified in Your Chosen Specialty?

Why Board CertifyPhysician board certification represents an important, even vital, level of achievement for a physician. It demonstrates that she or he has mastered the core competencies and knowledge necessary to provide the best possible medical care. It means that the physician not only is qualified, but is also an ideal candidate for a position in his or her specialty.

There is another reason why it is important to become board certified in a chosen specialty. The rapid transformation of the American medical system reflects the personal reinvention that many physicians undergo throughout their careers. If you are a physician whose career has progressively moved toward a new, unanticipated specialty such as Hospital Medicine, Disaster Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care Medicine or Integrative Medicine, it might be time to consider board certification through the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

Patients making decisions about where to turn for healing or health maintenance often make their choices based on the credentials of a hospital or clinic’s physicians. While most physicians understand the effect board certification has on career development, the less-obvious benefits include:

  • The respect of their peers and the fellowship of practitioners who share best practice techniques and more
  • Added incentive to remain as updated as possible about new techniques and treatment methods in their chosen specialty in order to achieve recertification
  • An opportunity to be viewed as a leader in their chosen specialty, and to shape the course of the medical profession for years to come

To learn more about why it is important to achieve physician board certification within your chosen specialty or specialties, contact the ABPS 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.

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