Subspecialty Certification Research Articles

Vascular neurology: a new neurologic subspecialty.

This article presents information about the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology's new subspecialty certificate in vascular neurology, including the requirements for board certification. Practicing neurologists and child neurologists who have a major focus in vascular neurology can apply for the new certificate. In addition, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has approved fellowship training in the subspecialty, and it is likely that residents who wish to pursue a career in vascular neurology will select this training option.

Subspecialty training and certification for radiation oncology

To address the recurring issues regarding subspecialty training and certification in radiation oncology, and using pediatric radiation oncology as an example, the authors considered the problem of inadequate case material for resident teaching. Potential solutions to the identified problems are addressed, and the roles of oversight committees and regulatory bodies are clarified. The problem of the nonuniform distribution of pediatric case material across residency programs cannot be solved by removing pediatric radiation oncology from the core radiation oncology educational curriculum or by offering fellowship training to those who may select it. As a result, the authors believe that subspecialty training and certification in radiation oncology is not a near-term possibility.

Why Take the Vascular and Interventional Radiology Maintenance of Certification Examination or Maintain a Subspecialty Certificate in Vascular and Interventional Radiology?

AT the 2004 Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Members' Business Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, members had important questions about the upcoming American Board of Radiology (ABR) case-based computerized cognitive examinations for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) in vascular and interventional radiology (VIR). Many interventional radiologists have been asking themselves and others why they should take the VIR MOC examination in July 2004 or January 2005 and why they should bother to maintain subspecialty certification in VIR. In this article, we have attempted to address these and other concerns by responding to the most frequently asked questions.

2004 medical toxicology subspecialty certification examination

2004 medical toxicology subspecialty certification examination

Subspecialty certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

The authors describe the approval processes for subspecialties and the mechanisms for certification and recertification and review the status of training programs and numbers of diplomates with subspecialty certification. Published information and relevant data bases were reviewed. To date, 5,327 child and adolescent psychiatry, 2,595 geriatric psychiatry, 1,854 addiction psychiatry, and 1,384 forensic psychiatry certificates have been awarded. In clinical neurophysiology and pain medicine, specialties that are primarily for neurologists and child neurologists, 21 and 28 psychiatrists, respectively, have been certified. There are 113 residency programs in child and adolescent psychiatry, 62 in geriatric psychiatry, 43 in addiction psychiatry, and 40 in forensic psychiatry. There are no psychiatry-based training programs in clinical neurophysiology and pain medicine. While this may not be of concern for clinical neurophysiology, it may lessen psychiatry's contribution to pain medicine. The ABPN took a conservative approach to establishing subspecialty certification in psychiatry. It is expected that subspecialists will enhance patient care through their clinical activities as well as through teaching and research.

2004 Sports Medicine subspecialty certification and recertification examination

2004 Sports Medicine subspecialty certification and recertification examination

2004 Medical Toxicology subspecialty certification examination

2004 Medical Toxicology subspecialty certification examination

2004 sports medicine subspecialty certification and recertification examination

2004 sports medicine subspecialty certification and recertification examination

2004 medical toxicology subspecialty certification examination

2004 medical toxicology subspecialty certification examination

2004 sports medicine subspecialty certification and recertification examination

2004 sports medicine subspecialty certification and recertification examination

The program for maintenance of certification in pediatrics® (PMCP)™

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) has initiated a new process of recertification called Maintenance of Certification. Maintenance of certification embraces a different philosophical premise than that of traditional recertification. The traditional recertification process focused only on one physician competence—knowledge of the specialty—and assessed that knowledge only periodically (eg, once every 7 or 10 years). Maintenance of certification recognizes that there are several essential competencies involved in delivering quality care that extend beyond medical knowledge, and that these competencies should be developed and maintained throughout one’s career. The new maintenance of certification process is designed to evaluate, on a continual basis, the essential competencies deemed necessary for general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists to deliver quality care with an emphasis on continual learning and practice improvement.

Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Subspecialty Certificate: Spread the Word

Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Subspecialty Certificate: Spread the Word

Subspecialty Certification in Geriatric Psychiatry

<h3>Objective</h3> The authors describe the development of certification and recertification processes for geriatric psychiatry, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology's second subspecialty in psychiatry. <h3>Methods</h3> Authors referenced databases of the certifying organizations and consulted published surveys of examinees. <h3>Results</h3> Since the first certification examination was administered in 1991, 2,595 certificates have been awarded. Because the certificates are time-limited, diplomates must sit for recertification every 10 years. Thus far, about 63% of the diplomates who have needed to do so have been recertified. <h3>Conclusion</h3> It is estimated that 5,000 geriatric psychiatrists will be needed to meet future healthcare needs. Thus, the demand for this expertise will be increasing, and it is anticipated that board-certified geriatric psychiatrists will continue to play leading roles in educating practitioners from multiple disciplines.

Subspecialty Certification in Geriatric Psychiatry

The authors describe the development of certification and recertification processes for geriatric psychiatry, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology's second subspecialty in psychiatry. Authors referenced databases of the certifying organizations and consulted published surveys of examinees. Since the first certification examination was administered in 1991, 2,595 certificates have been awarded. Because the certificates are time-limited, diplomates must sit for recertification every 10 years. Thus far, about 63% of the diplomates who have needed to do so have been recertified. It is estimated that 5,000 geriatric psychiatrists will be needed to meet future healthcare needs. Thus, the demand for this expertise will be increasing, and it is anticipated that board-certified geriatric psychiatrists will continue to play leading roles in educating practitioners from multiple disciplines.

Achieving board certification in psychiatry: a cohort study.

The purpose of this study was to track the progress of a cohort of graduates of psychiatry residency training programs in achieving certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). These data provide a detailed picture of how recent graduates perform on the ABPN's examinations. The subjects for this study were the 739 new candidates who sat for the part I examination in fall 1994. The cohort's performance on the part I and part II examinations was analyzed, as was the relationship between performance on the two examinations. Approximately 8 years after their first attempt at the part I examination, 85% of the cohort were certified, and 15% were not. The majority passed both the part I and part II examinations on the first attempt. Those who passed part I on the first attempt were more likely than those who failed to pass part II on the first attempt. Of the 627 who were certified at follow-up, 199 (32%) were also certified in one subspecialty, and 29 (5%) were certified in two, for a total of 257 subspecialty certificates. The results of this study suggest that most recent graduates of residency training programs who attempt the ABPN process are likely to become board certified, and the majority will do so by passing both components on the first attempt.

Incorporating pain management training into the psychiatry residency curriculum.

Pain management has received increased attention from the medical community, influenced by societal demands for more effective and comprehensive treatment. In fact, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations requires that physicians consider pain as "the fifth vital sign." It requires that pain severity be documented by using a standardized pain scale. Unfortunately, the assessment and management of pain is difficult. Pain is more than a sensation; it is influenced by emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial factors. The role of the psychiatrist in managing patients with pain has received increasing attention. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology now offers a subspecialty certification in Pain Management. While certification is warranted for those who practice extensively in this area, the general psychiatrist should also have familiarity with those issues that are likely to arise in treating patients with pain. Toward this end, the following guidelines are proposed for pain management training to be incorporated into the residency training curriculum.

Recognition of clinical immunology as a distinct medical subspecialty: importance for the practice of allergy.

Although residents trained in accredited teaching programs in allergy and immunology are exposed to many areas of clinical immunology, the vast majority of these residents' subsequent practices are composed of caring for patients with allergic and asthmatic conditions. Except for rheumatologists, almost all other clinical immunologists appear to lack organized training programs, defined certification pathways, and clear career opportunities. Recognition of clinical immunology as a distinct medical subspecialty with many areas of expertise will enhance the image of allergists and clinical immunologists, ensure subspecialty certification, and provide better career opportunities. Documents, publications, and private opinions of individuals within professional allergy and clinical immunology organizations were evaluated for possible contribution to the subject content of this article. There is a need for defined residency programs, medical board certification, and professional organizations that speak for and provide postgraduate education for all clinical immunologists. Molecular and genetic discoveries are delineating the central role of fundamental immunology in all immune-mediated diseases and future therapy of allergic and immunologic diseases. Allergists of the 21st century should participate in the growing recognition of clinical immunology as an important medical subspecialty that can provide science-based therapies for allergic and immunologic disorders. The future practice of allergy depends largely on the molecular and genetic discoveries that serve to unite all practitioners of clinical immunology. Forging common alliances of education, certification, and career pathways with other clinical immunologists is the correct investment for a bright future for allergy.

Patient outcomes for segmental colon resection according to surgeon's training, certification, and experience

Background. We examined patient outcomes for colon resection to determine if they varied according to surgeon-specific factors including: (1) American Board of Surgery (ABS) certification, (2) colorectal surgery subspecialty certification, (3) site of residency training (university-based vs nonuniversity-based), and (4) years of experience since ABS certification. Methods. We performed a retrospective study of 15,427 admissions of northern Illinois residents who underwent segmental colon resection as their primary operation from 1994 to 1997 at 76 nonfederal Illinois hospitals. There were 514 surgeons. Main outcome measures were inpatient mortality, complications, and hospital length of stay. Regression analyses with mixed effects were used to assess the significance of surgeon-specific variables as a predictor of outcomes after risk adjustment for patient age, gender, emergency admission, surgeon volume, hospital site, colon pathology, and comorbid illnesses. Results. ABS-certification was associated with reduced mortality and morbidity. Increasing years of experience was associated with reduced mortality. Colorectal surgery certification and site of residency training did not significantly affect outcomes. Conclusion. We were able to link patient outcomes with surgeon's training. Certification was an important determinant of patient outcomes for colon resection. Increasing surgeon experience also had a favorable effect on outcomes, suggesting a continued learning curve subsequent to residency. (Surgery 2002;132:663-72).

C/L Psychiatrists May Get Subspecialty Certification

C/L Psychiatrists May Get Subspecialty Certification

The residency review committee for surgery: Structure and function

The purpose of this report is to succinctly review the history, evolution, and accreditation process of postgraduate surgical training programs in the United States, with emphasis on recent dramatic changes in vascular surgery training. Vascular surgery became a distinct specialty of surgery on March 17, 2005, when the American Board of Surgery (ABS) received approval from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to offer a Primary Certificate in Vascular Surgery. The traditional requirement for 5 years of training and certification in general surgery was eliminated. Effective July 1, 2006, the ABS converted its certificate in vascular surgery from a subspecialty certificate to a specialty (primary) certificate. These landmark changes allowed the simultaneous development of new training paradigms. Multiple flexible training pathways leading to either dual certification (Traditional 5-2; Early Specialization Program 4-2) or vascular surgery certification alone (Integrated 0-5; Independent 3-3) now exist. New pathways require a minimum of 2 years of core surgery training and 3 years of advanced vascular training. There are currently 96 accredited traditional 5-2 programs, five 4-2 programs, and 11 0-5 integrated programs, with multiple additional institutions in the process of submitting 0-5 applications. The main obstacle preventing more rapid transition to the new pathways seems to be difficulty in obtaining funding for additional resident positions. Multiple flexible training paradigms are likely to coexist as vascular surgery continues to evolve.