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Ophthalmology certification meaningful beyond the piece of paper
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Ophthalmologists who meet a series of accredited medical training requirements and pass an oral and written examination can earn a certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology. Certification from the board is a requirement for staff members at some hospitals and can be used as credit by most state licensure boards when applying for a license.
Receiving certification from the ABO is a “major professional milestone,” George B. Bartley, MD, CEO of the ABO, told Ocular Surgery News.
“Many health care institutions regard board certification as a standard for high quality and require their staff members to achieve it. Most state licensure boards give credit for board certification when a physician is applying for a license. Additionally, participation in practice improvement activities satisfies some of the requirements for the MIPS program,” Bartley said.
Certification requirements
Several requirements are needed to be eligible for certification. All applicants must graduate from medical school, complete 1 year of internship with direct patient care, successfully complete 3 to 4 years in a residency program and undergo an interim evaluation. Additionally, applicants must have satisfactory completion of residency training documentation and verification of training form, Bartley said.
All candidates must also successfully pass an oral and written examination before being certified.
Board certification for an ophthalmologist is important in terms of completion of training, Lisa M. Nijm, MD, JD, told Ocular Surgery News. Nijm became ABO certified in 2012.
“Being board certified assures patients that you’ve not only completed training, but shows mastery of ophthalmology experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to provide patients with the best possible care. They know that they can come to you and confidently receive ethical, high-quality ophthalmic care,” Nijm said.
Nijm is a director of the Osler Ophthalmology Board Review Course and has taught more than 2,000 ophthalmologists over the last 5 years to prepare for their certification exams. She urged ophthalmologists considering certification to give themselves plenty of time to prepare for the exam, especially the written boards, because many underestimate how much time is necessary to adequately prepare.
Small group study, multiple practice questions and review courses are also good strategies to ensure success on the certification exams, Nijm said.
“Ideally, it is helpful to either engage in some type of review course or study in small groups to assist in test preparation. Studying by yourself without outside assessment runs the risk of ‘not knowing what you don’t know.’ It’s important to reflect your knowledge off of someone else to gauge your level of understanding and identify deficiencies that you may need to improve on prior to taking the exam,” she said.
Recertification after 10 years
All certificates currently issued by member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties are time limited. Since 1992, ABO certificates have been valid for 10 years. To qualify for recertification, ophthalmologists must maintain an unrestricted license in every state in which they practice, complete CME courses, pass an examination assessing cognitive knowledge and participate in practice improvement activities, Bartley said.
The ABO is working on a pilot project to replace the cognitive examinations for recertification with a periodic assessment using clinical cases, he said.
“The mission of the ABO is to serve the public by certifying ophthalmologists through the verification of competencies. My colleagues and I on the ABO are dedicated to working with our diplomates to provide a meaningful, relevant certification process,” Bartley said.
Stay current
The importance of being certified and maintaining certification goes far beyond getting a piece of paper at the end of the journey, Nijm said.
“Ophthalmology, like most medicine, is a field of lifelong learning. Keeping abreast of the latest treatment recommendations, advancements and innovations” is important for any ophthalmologist, she said.
“Being board certified is a commitment to having that deep knowledge and understanding that makes you a better clinician and gives you the expertise to provide a level of excellence in patient care. Sometimes people underestimate the opportunity they have to use board preparation as a learning tool. Instead of focusing on this as a test, it can be thought of as a great opportunity to become the best clinician possible through comprehensive study. It also provides a strong framework to update your knowledge throughout your career,” she said.
Nijm suggested keeping up to date with the ABO guidelines at the board’s website to ease the path to recertification. – by Robert Linnehan
- References:
- ABO board certification. https://abop.org/board-certification/. Accessed Sept. 6, 2017.
- ABO getting started. https://abop.org/maintain-certification/getting-started/. Accessed Sept. 6, 2017.
- ABO requirements for certification. https://abop.org/board-certification/requirements/. Accessed Sept. 6, 2017.
- For more information:
- George B. Bartley, MD, can be reached at Mayo Clinic, East 4, Mayo Building, Rochester, MN 55905; email: gbartley@mayo.edu.
- Lisa M. Nijm, MD, JD, can be reached at Warrenville EyeCare and LASIK, 2 South 631 Route 59, Suite A, Warrenville, IL 60555; email: lnijmkeranet@gmail.com.
Disclosures: Bartley reports he is the CEO of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Nijm reports she is a director of the Osler Ophthalmology Board Review Course.