What Does Board Certification Mean?
It’s an everyday occurrence in my office. More women and men are undergoing cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, with each passing year. But on the downside, I’m also seeing more news stories involving patients who are seriously being injured, or worse, when undergoing plastic surgery.
Although injury can happen, it tends to happen much more often at the hands of unlicensed “surgeons”. That’s why it’s crucial to vet your surgeon thoroughly.
With that in mind, here at my office, I wanted to share some insight on how you can go about checking your doctor’s credentials, with this guide.
Medical Doctor Requirements
You likely see the phrase, board-certified, quite often. But do you know what that means?
Let’s start with education basics. Every physician must attend and graduate from medical school, and after graduation, he or she must also complete an internship, then a residency, and then fulfill some additional medical education.
They must also pass a general exam to be licensed as a physician. Only then can they apply for a license from the state where they’re planning to practice.
Board Certification Matters
Specialty surgeons take it a significant step further. Like many other doctors, I chose to become board-certified in my speciality.
But does it matter if your doctor is board-certified? Yes, it does. There are many benefits of seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Board certification means a physician has met all of the intense eligibility requirements for their particular chosen field of expertise or speciality. Besides rigorous medical training, board-certified doctors must undergo a medical ethics course. Certification is a significant achievement and means the doctor has reached a very high standard.
Fortunately, you can easily verify your doctor’s credentials at Certification Matters.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and The American Board of Surgery (ABS)
I am a double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon. I am certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Surgery (ABS). Both are independent, nonprofit organizations, founded in 1937.
While these certifications are voluntary credentials, they designate that your surgeon completed the necessary training, passed all required tests and is qualified to perform your surgery. In other words, they offer you peace of mind about the quality of your surgeon.
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
In the United States, all true medical boards are certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. I specialize in plastic surgery. I spent five years training in general surgery followed by another two in plastic surgery. I also had a fellowship in microsurgery. General surgery and plastic surgery boards are both members of the ABMS.
Board Certifications Raise the Bar
Board certifications represent comprehensive education and training, as well as high standards of practice and patient care. It’s important for your doctor to be board-certified, which can also give you and your family peace of mind.
Hopefully, this guide has given you more insight into the importance of working with a board-certified doctor.
Come in For a One-on-One Consultation
Contact us today to schedule a free appointment for a free one-on-one consultation, in which we can determine if you’re a good candidate for a mommy makeover, facelift, breast procedure, or another treatment – surgical or non-surgical.
December 13, 2018 8:04 am
Categories: Blog, Plastic Surgery