Clinical Informatics Becomes a Board-certified Medical Subspecialty Following ABMS Vote

September 22, 2011
AMIA to offer prep courses for clinicians who sit for Board Exam

Washington, DC—Today, AMIA—the association for informatics professionals—announces the success of a multi-year initiative to elevate clinical informatics to an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) subspecialty certified by an examination administered by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and available to physicians who have primary specialty certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties. Joining such subspecialties as pediatric anesthesiology, medical toxicology, sports medicine, geriatrics medicine, and cardiovascular disease, clinical informatics (CI) certification will be based on a rigorous set of core competencies, heavily influenced by publications on the subject that were developed by AMIA and its members, many of whom have pioneered the field and supported CI’s new status as an ABMS-recognized area of clinical expertise. The goal for the first board exam is to have it available in Fall 2012, with the first certificates awarded early in 2013. To prepare physicians who wish to sit for this examination, AMIA is developing preparatory materials both as online and in-person courses starting Spring 2012.

"It is entirely appropriate and timely to certify clinical informatics as a specialized area of training and expertise in an era when more and more clinicians are turning to data-driven, computer-assisted clinical decision support to provide care for their patients," said AMIA’s Board of Directors Chair Nancy M. Lorenzi, PhD, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Clinical informatics blends medical and informatics knowledge to support and optimize healthcare delivery."

American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians

How do you pronounce ABQAURP? It stands for the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians. They offer Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM) Certification through an online study course and then a certification exam. Once certified, you can hang a certificate that says, "Diplomate of the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc." The ABQAURP is the only Health Care Quality and Management organization with an exam developed, administered, and evaluated through the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). So, you may want to learn more if you have an interest in working in quality improvement, utilization management, managed care, risk management, case management and workers' compensation. 

The World of Medical Education

The world of medical education can be broken down in so many different ways.

First: professional vs. consumer health education

If professional, then: promotional vs. certified continuing education (or certified CME/CE)

Let's talk a bit more about professional health education since we all know about WebMD and Revolution Health.

The world of promotional education is governed by strict FDA guidelines. Plus, don't forget the PhRMA code. There is no off-label discussion within a promotional activity. Also, speakers are recruited directly by the pharma/biotech/device company. The content does not need to be fair-balanced and there is no governing body that certifies those activities for any type of continuing education credit.

In the world of certified CME/CE, the rules are completely different. Here, you can discuss off-label use of medications. As a faculty speaker, you are to have no communications with the pharma/biotech/device company. Also, you don't get paid directly from a drug company. The educational content must be fair-balanced and the ACCME acts as a governing body to provide rules and regulations regarding certified CME (the CE for nurses and pharmacists are governed by other bodies). The PhRMA code has rules regarding CME.

Surprisingly, many healthcare professional are not aware of the distinction between non-certified medical education and certified medical education. Since the rules are constantly changing, it's important to stay updated on the latest guidelines and codes. The PhRMA code just got revised and the ACCME guidelines are constantly in flux.

How do you get your CME credit?

Since you're reading my blog, you're naturally biased towards computers. Hence, I would guess that you get most of your CME credit online. Am I right? There is a very strong trend in online CME. More and more physicians and other healthcare professionals are getting their CME/CE credit online. There is a very bright future for online CME. As travel costs continue to rise, fewer clinicians are traveling to major national meetings.

Non-ABSM Board Certification for Medical Doctors

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABSM) has a list of general and subspecialty medical board certifications. Many consumers don't realize that there is no board certification as a "general practitioner." Family physicians and general internists may refer to themselves using that term since people are familiar with the phrase "GP."

Even healthcare professionals do not realize that "doctors" can get board certified in other fields that are not listed by the ABSM. For instance, the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) offers board certification education. You can become board certified in medical management by the Certifying Commision in Medical Management (CCMM) and become a certified physician executive (CPE). You're probably a physician involved in serious management responsibilities if you're pursuing that board certification. Some doctors interested in non-clinical opportunities have also received this certification. You can also get board certified in medical quality by the American College of Medical Quality (ACMQ).

The American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM) offers board certification in holistic medicine. Some people have very strong opinions about alternative medicine, so I won't get into that somewhat controversial topic right now. You can also become board certified by the American Board of Medical Accupuncture (ABMA).

Have you heard of the American Board of Environmental Medicine (ABEM)? They offer board certification. How about the American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP)?

You can become a fellow of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA). I do not believe they offer board certification at this time. However, I think that's likely to change in the future.

Well, that's enough for now. I'm sure there are others out there, so I welcome comments from those who know of other non-ABSM board certifications that are available to US physicians.