American Board of Medical Specialties

American Board of Medical Specialties
Name	American Board of Medical Specialties
Founded	0 1933
Location	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Key people	Richard E. Hawkins (President & CEO)
Focus	Medical specialty certification
Website	www.abms.org

American Board of Medical Specialties. It is a leading non-profit organization overseeing physician certification in the United States. Comprising 24 medical specialty boards, it establishes rigorous standards for certification and Maintenance of Certification across a wide spectrum of medical practice. Its mission is to serve the public and the medical profession by improving the quality of health care through setting professional standards for lifelong certification.

History

The organization was established in 1933 following a pivotal report by the American Medical Association's Council on Medical Education and Hospitals, which highlighted the need for standardized specialty training. Its founding was influenced by earlier efforts like those of the American Board of Ophthalmology, the first such board created in 1917. Key early figures in its development included Dr. Derrick T. Vail and other leaders from the American College of Surgeons. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded significantly, incorporating new member boards as fields like cardiovascular medicine and genetics evolved. Landmark developments included the creation of the American Board of Family Medicine in 1969 and the initiation of its Maintenance of Certification program in the 1990s.

Structure and governance

The organization is governed by a Board of directors that includes representatives from each of its 24 member boards, as well as public members and liaisons from groups like the American Hospital Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. Its central office in Chicago is led by a President and CEO, currently Richard E. Hawkins. Major policy decisions are made through its Assembly, while committees such as the Executive Committee and the Committee on Certification oversee specific functions. It maintains formal collaborative relationships with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Osteopathic Association.

Member boards and specialties

The 24 member boards certify physicians in over 150 specialties and subspecialties. Prominent members include the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Surgery, and the American Board of Pediatrics. Other key boards are the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Radiology, and the American Board of Anesthesiology. These boards cover disciplines from Dermatology and Pathology to emerging areas like Hospice and palliative medicine. Each member board operates independently but adheres to common standards and policies set by the overarching organization.

Certification process

Initial certification requires completion of an ACGME-accredited residency program, followed by a rigorous examination process administered by the relevant member board, such as the American Board of Emergency Medicine. The cornerstone of its modern framework is the Maintenance of Certification program, which mandates ongoing assessment in four components: professional standing, lifelong learning, cognitive expertise, and practice performance. This continuous process involves activities like secure examinations and participation in quality improvement projects. The system is designed to assess competencies beyond those evaluated during initial USMLE steps.

Role in medical education and accreditation

The organization plays a critical role in the continuum of medical education, linking undergraduate medical education with Graduate medical education and lifelong practice. It works closely with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to ensure training programs prepare residents for board certification. Its standards influence curriculum development at institutions like the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Furthermore, its certification is often a prerequisite for hospital privileges at major centers like the Cleveland Clinic and for membership in elite societies such as the American College of Physicians.

Public and professional impact

For the public, board certification serves as a key marker of physician quality and expertise, a factor used by organizations like The Joint Commission and reported on platforms such as Healthgrades. For the profession, it establishes a uniform standard of excellence, influencing career advancement, academic appointments at universities like Harvard Medical School, and recognition by peers. The Maintenance of Certification program has spurred national debates on Continuing medical education and physician burnout, involving stakeholders from the American Medical Association to the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. Its research and standards also inform health policy discussions at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Category:Medical and health organizations based in the United States Category:Medical education in the United States Category:Professional associations based in the United States