Board certification

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Board certification

Board certification is a voluntary process that a physician or other healthcare professional may choose to complete to demonstrate their expertise in a particular specialty or subspecialty of medical practice.

Pronunciation

/bɔːrd sɜːrtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

Etymology

The term "board certification" originates from the establishment of the first medical specialty boards in the early 20th century. The term "board" refers to the panel of experts that evaluates the physician's competence in a specialty or subspecialty.

Definition

Board certification is a process by which a physician or other healthcare professional demonstrates through written, practical, or simulator-based testing, that they have the knowledge and skills necessary for the specialized care of patients. This certification is often used as a measure of the competency of a physician in a particular specialty or subspecialty.

Related Terms

  • Medical specialty: A specific area of medical practice that a physician focuses on during their medical training.
  • Subspecialty: A specific area of a medical specialty that a physician may choose to focus on after completing their specialty training.
  • Medical board: An organization that oversees the certification of physicians in a particular specialty or subspecialty.
  • Certification: The process of earning recognition or guarantee that a person has met certain standards or qualifications.

Process

The process of board certification typically involves several years of additional training beyond medical school in a specific specialty or subspecialty, followed by the successful completion of a rigorous examination process. This process is overseen by a medical board, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Importance

Board certification is often used as a measure of the competency of a physician in a particular specialty or subspecialty. It is a voluntary process, but many hospitals and insurance companies require physicians to be board certified in order to practice or to be included in their network of providers.

External links

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