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Why is Board Certification Important? When choosing a physician, it is
important for the patient to be an informed consumer. One of the key
elements in selecting a physician is the status of the physician's board
certification. Board certification can be quite confusing to the general
public because of the plethora of societies and certifying boards in
existence throughout the US. One only needs to open the phone book or local
newspaper to find physicians advertising membership and board certification
in various societies and specialty boards. The mere fact that a physician is
“board certified” may be deceiving. The true importance lies in which
board has certified the physicians. Moreover, board certification is only
one of the elements to consider in selecting a physician, a topic covered
more extensively in another chapter (see How
to Select a Plastic Surgeon). What is a Certifying Board? Major specialty certifying boards are not
educational institutions. Certificates issued by these boards do not confer
degrees. Certification does not grant legal qualifications, hospital
privileges, medical licensure, the right to prescribe medications, or the
competence to perform procedures. Board certification is not a requirement
to practice a specialty. What, then, is the role of a certifying
board? Specialty certifying boards were developed to maintain and improve
the quality of medical care in the US through the development of educational
and professional standards for evaluating and certifying physicians. Board
certification simply means that the physician has completed the requirements
set forth by the specialty board. This generally includes graduation from an
approved medical school, completion of an ACGME accredited residency program
in that field, and completion of comprehensive written and oral examinations
in that field. Physicians who have successfully
completed the requirements set forth by the board may be granted a
certificate and are known as a diplomate of the board. In the past, lifetime
board certification was granted. During the past 10 years, however, most
boards have changed in this regard. Physicians who have previously received
board certification for life retain this right. Newly certified physicians,
however, receive certificates that expire after a specified period of time,
generally 10 years. To recertify in the specialty, the physician must be
reexamined, generally in the form of a written examination. Board certification does not guarantee
good results or an absence of complications; however, it is a good indicator
of training, competence, and experience. The field of plastic surgery has
one and only one specialty board that your plastic surgeon should be a
diplomate of. The American Board of Plastic Surgery certifies physicians in
plastic surgery of the entire body. The American Board of
Plastic Surgery The American Board of Plastic Surgery was
established in 1937. To become certified by this board, a physician must
meet certain qualifications, which include the following: o Graduate from an accredited medical school o Hold a license to practice medicine in the state in which they
reside o
Complete a minimum of 2 years of training in plastic surgery in an
ACGME accredited residency program o
Have been in practice for 6 months during which time all operative
reports and pre- and postoperative photographs are submitted and accepted by
a peer-review committee o
Successfully complete comprehensive written and oral examinations More information may be obtained from
this board at the following address and web site: o
The American Board of
Plastic Surgery (ABPS) Board certification is an
important consideration when selecting a physician. Hopefully this chapter
has shed some light on a thoroughly confusing subject. For further
information, please contact our office at (954) 630-2009 or you may email Dr. Revis. |
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