There is a very interesting article in the Huffington Post which focuses on doctor/politician Rand Paul and the fact that he is an opthalmologist who is not certified by the American Board of Opthalmology(ABO). Instead, he apparently helped start his own Board, the National Board of Opthalmology (NBO), due to his rejection of certain older doctors being 'grandfathered in' to the ABO and not being required to take recertification exams like all the younger doctors. Unlike the ABO, the NBO is not recognized as a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the governing organization that acts as the gold standard for board-certification. Read the article here, and then my thoughts and opinions follow below.
1. I also disagree with several boards' policies of not requiring older doctors to take recertifying exams. Older doctors, who are farther away from their residency training, should prove their skills and knowledge base like the younger doctors do, otherwise risk losing board-certification.
2. The American Board of Medical Specialties is truly the gold standard for board-certification. The major specialty boards are all in there: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and yes, Plastic Surgery. Other boards just do not carry the same weight as the ones in the ABMS, and that includes all the phony cosmetic-type boards out there. Anyone can start their own board, even Rand Paul! (Note: Osteopaths (D.O.'s) have their own Boards, which are completely separate)
3. Some doctors are fine physicians who receive the appropriate training, just don't take or pass their board exams. This doesn't necessarily make them bad doctors, but doctors with an asterisk*.
On a lighter note, ever wondered which politician I believe needs plastic surgery the most? Click here to find out!
Thanks for reading.
Anthony Youn, M.D.
I'd feel more safe if my doctor especially surgeon is board-certified. Of course, a board that's recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It gives patients confidence that they are highly skilled in their field because it's the life of a patient that's on the line.
ReplyDeleteYou gotta love all the republicans in Kentucky who voted for Rand Paul and brought him to national exposure, priceless. Lets face it they will try to vote this liar in but we can only wait and see if there is other skeltons in hs closet, oh yeah he is not a racist, I repeat, he is not a racist. Great thing is we are talking about Kentucky, so being a racist may be a positive, we will see.
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