American Board of Plastic Surgery

American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is a national medical specialty board in the United States responsible for certifying plastic surgeons who meet specific educational, training, and professional requirements. The ABPS is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which is recognized as the premier system for evaluating and certifying physician specialists in the U.S.

History

The American Board of Plastic Surgery was established in 1937 to promote safe, ethical, and efficacious plastic surgery to the public by maintaining high standards for the education, examination, certification, and recertification of plastic surgeons as specialists and sub-specialists. Since its inception, the ABPS has been dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of practice in plastic surgery through its rigorous certification process.

Certification Process

The certification process by the ABPS is designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and experience required to provide high-quality patient care in plastic surgery. To be eligible for certification, candidates must:

• Complete an accredited medical school.
• Obtain a license to practice medicine.
• Complete a minimum of six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years in plastic surgery residency training.
• Pass comprehensive written and oral examinations.

After successfully completing these steps, a physician is awarded certification by the ABPS and is recognized as a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Maintenance of Certification

Diplomates of the ABPS are required to participate in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program, which is designed to promote lifelong learning and continuous improvement in the practice of plastic surgery. The MOC program includes requirements for ongoing medical education, self-assessment, and peer evaluation, as well as a recertification examination every ten years.

Subspecialties

The ABPS also recognizes subspecialties in plastic surgery, where surgeons can obtain additional certification in areas such as hand surgery and craniofacial surgery. These subspecialties require additional training and examination.

Role and Impact

The ABPS plays a critical role in the advancement of plastic surgery as a specialty. By setting high standards for certification and maintenance of certification, the ABPS ensures that board-certified plastic surgeons possess the requisite knowledge, skill, and experience to provide safe and effective care. This not only benefits patients but also contributes to the professional development and recognition of plastic surgeons.

Controversies and Challenges

Like many medical specialty boards, the ABPS faces challenges and controversies, particularly regarding the costs and time commitment required for certification and maintenance of certification. Some practitioners have called for reforms in the certification process to make it more accessible and less burdensome, while still maintaining high standards of professional competence.

See Also

• Plastic surgery
• American Board of Medical Specialties
• Medical education in the United States
• Board certification