American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine

American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine (AOBPM) is a professional certification board in the United States that is responsible for the certification of osteopathic physicians (DO) in the specialty of preventive medicine. The AOBPM operates under the jurisdiction of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and is one of the 18 specialty boards that certify the medical and surgical specialties of osteopathic medicine.

Overview

Preventive medicine is a medical specialty recognized by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) that focuses on the health of individuals, communities, and defined populations. Its goal is to protect, promote, and maintain health and well-being and to prevent disease, disability, and death. The American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine certifies DOs in three primary areas of preventive medicine: public health and general preventive medicine, occupational and environmental medicine, and aerospace medicine.

Certification Process

The certification process by the AOBPM involves a combination of written and oral examinations, as well as a demonstration of clinical competence in the field of preventive medicine. Candidates must first complete an AOA-approved residency in preventive medicine, which typically lasts two to three years. Following residency, candidates are eligible to sit for the AOBPM certification examination.

Examination

The AOBPM certification examination assesses the candidate's knowledge and skills in areas relevant to preventive medicine, including biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, occupational health, health services management, and clinical preventive services. The examination format may include multiple-choice questions, case studies, and oral examinations.

Maintenance of Certification

Certified physicians are required to participate in the AOBPM's Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program to ensure they remain up-to-date with the latest advancements in preventive medicine. The MOC program includes continuing medical education (CME), self-assessment activities, and periodic re-examination.

Specialties

The AOBPM offers certification in the following preventive medicine specialties:

• Public Health and General Preventive Medicine
• Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Aerospace Medicine

Each specialty focuses on different aspects of preventive medicine, allowing physicians to tailor their practice to specific patient populations or health concerns.

History

The American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine was established to provide a mechanism for osteopathic physicians to demonstrate their expertise in preventive medicine. Over the years, the AOBPM has evolved to meet the changing needs of the healthcare landscape, incorporating new knowledge and technologies into its certification and MOC processes.

Importance

Certification by the AOBPM signifies that a physician has met rigorous standards in the field of preventive medicine. It assures patients, healthcare institutions, and other stakeholders of the physician's commitment to excellence in patient care and public health.

See Also

• American Osteopathic Association
• Preventive Medicine
• Osteopathic Medicine in the United States