Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery: What It Means in the New Millennium

[Radpimp]

Interesting article in Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000 Apr;105(4):1473-4.

So You Are Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery:
What It Means in the New Millennium

Rod J. Rohrich, M.D.
Dallas Texas

Attaining board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is truly an honor. Passing rigorous oral and written examinations is the result of years of hard work, preparation, and training. Once Board certification by the ABPS is achieved, we should justifiably and proudly communicate to our peers and the public our Board certification status. But what does Board certification in plastic surgery mean in the new millennium? Let’s examine how one can properly highlight our Board certification in this age of the Internet and mass marketing to the public about plastic surgery, especially osmetic surgery.1 It is important to emphasize the meticulous and painstaking training necessary for Board certification.2–4 Choosing a plastic surgeon certified by the ABPS assures the patient that this physician is a graduate of an accredited medical school and has completed at least 5 years of additional training—usually 3 years of general surgery (or its equivalent) and 2 years of plastic surgery.2 To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must be actively engaged primarily in the practice of plastic surgery and must pass a comprehensive written and oral examination.2

In reference to marketing and board certification in plastic surgery, it would be inappropriate to state that ABPS is the only Board
recognized or authorized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify physicians in plastic surgery. Especially important is
the use of the wording, Board certification in Plastic Surgery, in personal and professional websites, marketing brochures, and newsletters. Doctors should be sure to also check their state laws. For example, Texas requires stating specific board certification in all materials;therefore, using the words “Board certified” is insufficient; we must use the words “Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.”
5

THE ROLE OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY

A general statement that the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board authorized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify physicians in plastic surgery is incorrect. Concerns have been expressed that this could imply that practitioners certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology who received training in facial plastic surgery of the head and neck and have been examined in this area are not qualified to perform facial plastic surgery. In an effort to update the diplomates of the American Board of Plastic Surgery on recent developments, Dr. David J. Smith, Jr., in the ABPS annual newsletter, stated the following6: “The American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto), in 1998, was granted approval by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for a subcertificate, entitled Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck (PSWHN).

As a result, many ABPS Diplomates felt the name Plastic Surgery was given to others. Ultimately, as a result of ABMS approval in September, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., will have its own PSWHN certificate and enter into a joint examination process with ABOto.” However, the American Board of Plastic Surgery is devoted exclusively to plastic surgery and is the only Medical Specialties board that certifies physicians in the full range of plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face and body. The ABPS also reiterated unanimously the following statement: “ABPS is committed to the engagement, development, and recognition of subspecialty interests for the purpose of advancing the core of the entire specialty.” To avoid any misunderstandings or problems, one should carefully use language that appears in either American Society of Plastic Surgeons or American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery brochures3,4 or in American Board of Plastic Surgery brochures that describe
the ABPS and board certification.2 An in-depth look at the proper way to recognize subspecialization within plastic surgery is under way by the major plastic surgery organizations working in concert with the ABPS. We hope this cooperative effort will resolve the challenges facing plastic surgery and will help strengthen the core of plastic surgery as a specialty.

In the new millennium, change is more constant and rapid than ever before. Thus, we must effectively and efficiently respond to these changes in plastic surgery so that the specialty can evolve and prosper.

Rod J. Rohrich, M.D.
Co-editor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
UT Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Suite E7.210
Dallas, Texas 75390-9132

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[toofache32]

huh?

 

[TheThroat]

This article proves my point that Oto's who have done a year-long Facial Plastic and Reconstructive fellowship are just as qualified to perform "plastic surgery" (in the head and neck, of course).

 

[droliver]

This article proves my point that Oto's who have done a year-long Facial Plastic and Reconstructive fellowship are just as qualified to perform "plastic surgery" (in the head and neck, of course).

The only problem is that there is almost no standardization apparently between what these fellowships actually provide. In fact, unless things have changed recently, you can still apply for your facial plastics boards by merely submitting cases rather then doing a dedicated fellowship. They are more akin to the many non-accredited fellowships available in Plastic Surgery rather then implying equal footing to primary ABPS qualifications. The overwhelming focus of most of the facial plastic surgery positions has been cosmetic surgery rather then broad-based head & neck Plastic Surgery.