Recognition of board certifications
ISSUE SUMMARY
The foundation for established medical specialties is the completion of a residency program specific to that specialty. The public at-large assumes that “Board Certified” means formal specialty-specific training has been completed.
The American Association of Physician Specialties (AAPS) and its subsidiary the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) allow individuals to obtain specialty certification without completing specialty-specific training. Board certification in family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery and emergency medicine can be obtained by completing any residency, submitting a written application with letters of recommendation and completing a written exam.
The AAPS/ABPS is currently mounting a state-by-state effort to gain recognition for its members; if successful, its members will be able to advertise themselves as “board certified” without completing a specialty-specific residency.
AOPTED ACTION OR POLICY
The Kansas Medical Society supports recognition only of those board certifications granted through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Board of Specialties of the American Osteopathic Association & the American Board of Osteopathic Examiners. The KMS Executive Committee is directed to develop a plan to ensure, through legislation or rule & regulation, that the Kansas Board of Healing Arts only recognize as acceptable those certifications granted by the above certifying boards.
Adopted by the KMS House of Delegates on May 1, 2010.
