Forum Members ABFAS/ABPM

[newpodgrad]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys

While looking for jobs , I inquired with a few local hospitals about how to go about getting privileges.

Several of them sent me info and I wanted to highlight a board concern.

Not sure how to really take it, but here’s a excerpt from one of the docs re: board status.

“Board Certification Requirement means certification from one of the following boards: the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, or those Boards which may be approved by the Executive Committee to satisfy this Requirement”

As a disclaimer, I’m not a HUGE surgery pod. I enjoyed it , and did it in residency because, well, that’s what we had to do. And I’m fine with my forefoot procedures. I believe I’ve done well with them at my current level. I don’t care to do TARS, scopes mid foot fusions etc. I have no problem referring them out. I took the ABFAS qualifying tests etc, because again, it’s encouraged in residency and passed them.

Looking at this doc, it almost seems like this board required if you wanted to be on staff. The little statement at the end regarding “or those boards” seems like it might open the door for ABPM with some petitioning or something.

What do you guys make of this? I have heard from others that ABPM will get involved with issues regarding privileges etc. Is there more to this picture than meets the eye?

Thanks in advance for everyone’s take

 

[Pronation]

I am right there with you.

I am in no way am I looking to deal with tumors, but being rural I see tumors/cancer more frequently than I would ever want. I do appropriate testing or biopsy and ship out. This circles back to my original comment. You need to know how to work it up.

Sure would suck accidentally getting an inappropriate biopsy and being accused of causing needle track seeding of the tumor which disqualified the patient from any limb-sparing options.

 

[PeaJay]

Sure would suck accidentally getting an inappropriate biopsy and being accused of causing needle track seeding of the tumor which disqualified the patient from any limb-sparing options.

Indeed.

I tend to biopsy mainly skin related stuff with direct referral or imaging if it looks ominous.

During my training we did melanoma resections/amputation with node biopsy in conjunction with gen surgery. Gained a level of comfort, but stiff refer out.

 

[Utvolsdpm]

Brad Bakotic is smiling somewhere

I’ve got a few guesses

 

[CutsWithFury]

I have a colleague who runs their own practice who is board certified with ABPM but qualified with ABFAS. They even distinguish that on their website. Someone reported this person and they got a nasty gram from ABFAS saying they are misleading the public with their board certification status.

The funniest thing ever is that nobody in the MD/DO world cares about either board certification.

Do you think we’ve earned any respect when AOFAS touts this image on their website and every single one of their members does as well?

There is disdain out there for us and we aren’t even fighting anymore. Right now boomer podiatrists are reporting younger podiatrists trying to make a living. The best job in months I’ve seen posted is based out Montana.

We have real problems. People can have sickness in their bodies or minds but podiatry has a sickness in its soul.

I feel bad for my colleague. Someone probably reported this person because the practice was starting to hurt their own volume. We do whatever it takes to step over each other or back stab each other instead of unifying and finally making giant leaps forward in creating a unified scope of practice throughout the United States.

When I had my first hospital job it was in an area of the country where a lot of podiatrists didn’t work for a hospital. Throughout my time at this hospital my admin would tell me there would be podiatrists from time to time would call asking if they would hire another podiatrist or tell them they were better than me and they should hire them instead. We are terrible to each other.

The hierarchy that podiatrists have created has broken this profession. I blame mostly ACFAS and the podium DPMs who have all created fellowships who are passing down this behavior over and over again. I’m tired of it.

 

[heybrother]

I don't disagree with you on most of what you said. I haven't reported anybody and I don't intend to start. But literally the first email I received from ABFAS contained 2 attachments and this was the first thing one of them said. Everyone gets the email and everyone still puts BQ over everything. Hell, people list it 10 years out when they are expired.

Its on the website too.

 

[newfeet]

I don't disagree with you on most of what you said. I haven't reported anybody and I don't intend to start. But literally the first email I received from ABFAS contained 2 attachments and this was the first thing one of them said. Everyone gets the email and everyone still puts BQ over everything. Hell, people list it 10 years out when they are expired.

View attachment 360915

Its on the website too.

View attachment 360916

You can't even state you are in the process of becoming certified. Is that what the board qualification status means? That is some BS.

 

[icebreaker32]

You can't even state you are in the process of becoming certified. Is that what the board qualification status means? That is some BS.

To be fair advertising board qualified status is a very podiatry like thing to do. MDs don't do this.

 

[de Ribas]

I have a colleague who runs their own practice who is board certified with ABPM but qualified with ABFAS. They even distinguish that on their website. Someone reported this person and they got a nasty gram from ABFAS saying they are misleading the public with their board certification status.

The funniest thing ever is that nobody in the MD/DO world cares about either board certification.

Do you think we’ve earned any respect when AOFAS touts this image on their website and every single one of their members does as well?

View attachment 360914

There is disdain out there for us and we aren’t even fighting anymore. Right now boomer podiatrists are reporting younger podiatrists trying to make a living. The best job in months I’ve seen posted is based out Montana.

We have real problems. People can have sickness in their bodies or minds but podiatry has a sickness in its soul.

I feel bad for my colleague. Someone probably reported this person because the practice was starting to hurt their own volume. We do whatever it takes to step over each other or back stab each other instead of unifying and finally making giant leaps forward in creating a unified scope of practice throughout the United States.

When I had my first hospital job it was in an area of the country where a lot of podiatrists didn’t work for a hospital. Throughout my time at this hospital my admin would tell me there would be podiatrists from time to time would call asking if they would hire another podiatrist or tell them they were better than me and they should hire them instead. We are terrible to each other.

The hierarchy that podiatrists have created has broken this profession. I blame mostly ACFAS and the podium DPMs who have all created fellowships who are passing down this behavior over and over again. I’m tired of it.

Even though foot and ankle orthos have less training in foot and ankle, they win because they can advertise 6 years of total training. Public will see 6 years vs 3 years. Ortho wins. So, will podiatry try to chase the length of training until we hit 6 years as well?

I think major problem is quality of training, variability in training and lack of adequate standardization evident by 2 divided boards.

 

[CutsWithFury]

Even though foot and ankle orthos have less training in foot and ankle, they win because they can advertise 6 years of total training. Public will see 6 years vs 3 years. Ortho wins. So, will podiatry try to chase the length of training until we hit 6 years as well?

I think major problem is quality of training, variability in training and lack of adequate standardization evident by 2 divided boards.

All correct points. I’m just re-emphasizing how podiatrists are incredibly terrible to each other and it really hurts the profession in general and has been getting worse over the last decade.

 

[air bud]

It is clearly stated in the rule you can t advertise yourself as BQ. So don't do it.

 

[Weirdy]

It is clearly stated in the rule you can t advertise yourself as BQ. So don't do it.

Was scrolling through podiatry practices throughout the area my wife is interested in.

Tons of older DPMs explicitly advertising they are board qualified

 

[DPM TRUTH]

Ok, this makes tons of sense everyone.

Those who NEVER did a surgical residency or touched an ankle can advertised as "board certified in foot and ankle surgery".

Those who spent 200k on DPM school, did 3 years of residency, and passed the BQ test can not say a word and must keep their mouth shut?

Makes tons of sense right?

 

[CutsWithFury]

Ok, this makes tons of sense everyone.

Those who NEVER did a surgical residency or touched an ankle can advertised as "board certified in foot and ankle surgery".

Those who spent 200k on DPM school, did 3 years of residency, and passed the BQ test can not say a word and must keep their mouth shut?

Makes tons of sense right?

Can you give us a timeline and understanding of when older podiatrists got grandfathered into the ABFAS?

Because I see these older podiatrists giving the younger generation a really hard time to the point where these older podiatrists are touting their 40-50 years of experience and giving opinions on pathology that involve the rearfoot and ankle when they probably have never touched either surgically in the OR.

 

[de Ribas]

Can you give us a timeline and understanding of when older podiatrists got grandfathered into the ABFAS?

Because I see these older podiatrists giving the younger generation a really hard time to the point where these older podiatrists are touting their 40-50 years of experience and giving opinions on pathology that involve the rearfoot and ankle when they probably have never touched either surgically in the OR.

The trend will probably continue with fellowship-trained pods giving hard time to those with only 3 years of training. It's the culture that is being maintained, unfortunately.

 

[CutsWithFury]

The trend will probably continue with fellowship-trained pods giving hard time to those with only 3 years of training. It's the culture that is being maintained, unfortunately.

Agreed but I want to understand when this happened. I think it’s important we talk about this now

 

[air bud]

Ok, this makes tons of sense everyone.

Those who NEVER did a surgical residency or touched an ankle can advertised as "board certified in foot and ankle surgery".

Those who spent 200k on DPM school, did 3 years of residency, and passed the BQ test can not say a word and must keep their mouth shut?

Makes tons of sense right?

Dude. Just read and follow the directions. Why do you need to cry about everything. Not everything is an injustice.

The people you describe can advertise as BC if they have BC by ABPM, ABFAS or whatever other board. They could have gotten certification if other boards allowed for it.

People who are not BC by ABFAS cannot per the rules.

 

[DPM TRUTH]

Airbud....

yes I agree those are the "rules". My point is, the ABFAS is saying the REASON for this rule is for misleading the public.

I'm hear to call out the bs. If the ABFAS cared about misleading the public they wouldn't have diplomats boarded in foot and ankle surgery. Period. So please stop hiding behind "misleading the public".

So airbud, after 35 yrs of practice, I'm not calling everything an injustice. I just calling out the bs.

 

[CutsWithFury]

Airbud....

yes I agree those are the "rules". My point is, the ABFAS is saying the REASON for this rule is for misleading the public.

I'm hear to call out the bs. If the ABFAS cared about misleading the public they wouldn't have diplomats boarded in foot and ankle surgery. Period. So please stop hiding behind "misleading the public".

So airbud, after 35 yrs of practice, I'm not calling everything an injustice. I just calling out the bs.

Please talk about how older ABFAS podiatrists got grandfathered in ABFAS. I want to understand the history. When did it start happening and who got the magic keys to the kingdom. I think its important this part of podiatry is fully understood by the younger generations because these guys still mess with us from time to time.

 

[air bud]

Airbud....

yes I agree those are the "rules". My point is, the ABFAS is saying the REASON for this rule is for misleading the public.

I'm hear to call out the bs. If the ABFAS cared about misleading the public they wouldn't have diplomats boarded in foot and ankle surgery. Period. So please stop hiding behind "misleading the public".

So airbud, after 35 yrs of practice, I'm not calling everything an injustice. I just calling out the bs.

For the purpose of this discussion and this discussion only, I don't care how long you have practiced it's irrelevant.
You know what my generation doesn't like, boomers who like to throw out stuff like that in every conversation.
Now a perfectly good use of the number of years in practice would be if the topic at hand was something like being audited for dme. You could say in my 35 years of practice, this has been my experience of being audited for DME claims....

And you can also follow the rules while calling out BS

 

[DPM TRUTH]

Hey airbud...you stated:

.....you can also follow the rules while calling out BS?

First, happy Friday.

Of course you follow the rules but you also have to fight sometimes for change

If we listened to people like you back in the 1980s and 1990s and "followed the rules ortho gave us", you would not be putting those 7.3 screws in the rearfoot today. Ortho told us to stick to toes and bunions. My generation took podiatry from chiropady to foot and ankle surgery. But we understand the thanks! 🙂

Airbud, try to Focus on making this profession BETTER for your young like we did. Making stupid rules about "advertising" (vs focusing horrid pass rates) will only EXCLUDE more...try to INCLUDE more....Pass it on! Not shut them out Your practice and life will prosper my friend!

 

[DPM TRUTH]

Cutswithfury

Hey I didn't forget about posting what you are asking about the grandfathering process. That's a super long post that I don't feel like going into on a Friday night though 🙂 I will respond in length though, about what you asked.

 

[heybrother]

ABFAS website says "foot and ankle surgery" = certified before 1991. Guess we'll find out if its more complicated than that.

 

[DPM TRUTH]

Heybrother....100%

.....everyone think about this. Prior to 1991, in the 1980s, I don't know of any residency that was dealing with ANY ankle pathology....let alone surgery! There were a handful of psr 12 and a few psr 24s. No ankles my friends!

.....so why would they name their certificate "foot and ankle surgery"?

......but "they" make the rules now and say no BQ advertising....but give themselves certificates in foot and ankle surgery??....are "those" the ones our young are supposed to follow and mimic? I say not all the time.

 

[diabeticfootdr]

Can you give us a timeline and understanding of when older podiatrists got grandfathered into the ABFAS?

Because I see these older podiatrists giving the younger generation a really hard time to the point where these older podiatrists are touting their 40-50 years of experience and giving opinions on pathology that involve the rearfoot and ankle when they probably have never touched either surgically in the OR.

There are several levels of "grandfathering".

ABFAS and ABPM
Pre-1991 podiatrists got grandfathered into lifetime certification. CPME changed the standards to require time-limited certificates like ABMS boards.

ABFAS
ABFAS started as ABPS and absorbed the American Board of Ambulatory Foot Care in the 1980s. Those podiatrists got grandfathered into ABPS, but with a special designation on their board certification (that probably no one pays attention to).

Older pods that were involved in the construct of the exam, were grandfathered as founders.

ABPS changed their name to ABFAS in 2014.

Yes, those that are not RRA are still BC by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and can advertise themselves as D.ABFAS or if a fellow, FACFAS.

ABPM
ABPM started as ABPO in 1978. In 1992, they merged with the American College of Podiatric Medicine (not related to the current ACPM - confusing, I know) and created ABPOPPM (American Board of Podiatric Orthopaedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine).

Both ABPO and ACPM DPMs were grandfathered into ABPOPPM.

ABPOPPM changed it's name to ABPM in 2012.

 

[diabeticfootdr]

.....everyone think about this. Prior to 1991, in the 1980s, I don't know of any residency that was dealing with ANY ankle pathology....let alone surgery! There were a handful of psr 12 and a few psr 24s. No ankles my friends!

Yes, here is a timeline of the history of podiatric residencies and which board certifications are eligible. Since 2003, all residencies include podiatric medicine and surgery.

 

[CutsWithFury]

There are several levels of "grandfathering".

ABFAS and ABPM
Pre-1991 podiatrists got grandfathered into lifetime certification. CPME changed the standards to require time-limited certificates like ABMS boards.

ABFAS
ABFAS started as ABPS and absorbed the American Board of Ambulatory Foot Care in the 1980s. Those podiatrists got grandfathered into ABPS, but with a special designation on their board certification (that probably no one pays attention to).

Older pods that were involved in the construct of the exam, were grandfathered as founders.

ABPS changed their name to ABFAS in 2014.

Yes, those that are not RRA are still BC by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and can advertise themselves as D.ABFAS or if a fellow, FACFAS.

ABPM
ABPM started as ABPO in 1978. In 1992, they merged with the American College of Podiatric Medicine (not related to the current ACPM - confusing, I know) and created ABPOPPM (American Board of Podiatric Orthopaedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine).

Both ABPO and ACPM DPMs were grandfathered into ABPOPPM.

ABPOPPM changed it's name to ABPM in 2012.

I think this is critical understand. I've encountered some podiatrists who started practicing in the 1970s-1980s, who mainly do expert witness testimony now because they can't do much else, who were clearly grandfathered into the ABFAS, give expert witness testimony on rearfoot and ankle pathology they never trained in or probably did in their practices. If you read PMnews there are several posters on there we clearly know can't fix an ankle fracture for crap but will give expert witness testimony because they are "board certified by ABFAS". I want to understand how this can be allowed in a court of law. It's outrageous.

 

[DPM TRUTH]

Cutswithfury, you hit the nail on the head by saying:

I think this is critical understand. I've encountered some podiatrists who started practicing in the 1970s-1980s, who mainly do expert witness testimony now because they can't do much else, who were clearly grandfathered into the ABFAS, give expert witness testimony on rearfoot and ankle pathology they never trained in or probably did in their practices.

These people are destroying their colleagues practices, increasing our malpractice rates, and dividing the profession by testifying agaist collegues about issues they were not trained to treat. They hide behind the "public safety" bs argument. The ABFAS/CPME/APMA continue to allow their "members" to mislead the public using that "foot and ankle certificate". Why not just call it foot surgery, why include ankle also?

This is why when we hear ANYTHING with the words misleading/public safety from ABFAS/CPME/APMA commenting on the new ABPM surgery CAQ they need do a real self assessment and take a LONG look in the mirror. If they cared an ounce of public safety/misleading the public they would yank that ankle certificate from the grandfathered in crowd IMMEDIATELY and make it foot surgery.

Ladies and gentlemen this is not a small cohert, there are a lot of "them" out there still. Do a search via the abfas "find a surgeon" and see how many "foot and ankle certificates" are within 30 miles of your office STILL 30 years later ......STUNNING!

 

[CutsWithFury]

Cutswithfury, you hit the nail on the head by saying:

I think this is critical understand. I've encountered some podiatrists who started practicing in the 1970s-1980s, who mainly do expert witness testimony now because they can't do much else, who were clearly grandfathered into the ABFAS, give expert witness testimony on rearfoot and ankle pathology they never trained in or probably did in their practices.

These people are destroying their colleagues practices, increasing our malpractice rates, and dividing the profession by testifying agaist collegues about issues they were not trained to treat. They hide behind the "public safety" bs argument. The ABFAS/CPME/APMA continue to allow their "members" to mislead the public using that "foot and ankle certificate". Why not just call it foot surgery, why include ankle also?

This is why when we hear ANYTHING with the words misleading/public safety from ABFAS/CPME/APMA commenting on the new ABPM surgery CAQ they need do a real self assessment and take a LONG look in the mirror. If they cared an ounce of public safety/misleading the public they would yank that ankle certificate from the grandfathered in crowd IMMEDIATELY and make it foot surgery.

Ladies and gentlemen this is not a small cohert, there are a lot of "them" out there still. Do a search via the abfas "find a surgeon" and see how many "foot and ankle certificates" are within 30 miles of your office STILL 30 years later ......STUNNING!

But I feel like if these facts were brought up in a deposition or even prior to a deposition the expert testimony should be thrown out. Since it's clear the expert witness has no real expertise in the pathology in question. I don't understand how these DPMs can make a living off this stuff still when they can't even produce the training logs or attending logs to back up their "expertise" in rearfoot or ankle pathology.

 

[air bud]

But I feel like if these facts were brought up in a deposition or even prior to a deposition the expert testimony should be thrown out. Since it's clear the expert witness has no real expertise in the pathology in question. I don't understand how these DPMs can make a living off this stuff still when they can't even produce the training logs or attending logs to back up their "expertise" in rearfoot or ankle pathology.

I would think a good lawyer would be able to bring this up and make it an issue.

 

[GreenHousePub]

ABPOPPM

Thank god they ditched that name and went with ABPM.

 

[de Ribas]

So ABFAS has close to 8k members. How many members are there in ABPM?

 

[diabeticfootdr]

So ABFAS has close to 8k members. How many members are there in ABPM?

5900 now

 

[deleted285117]

5900 now

Catchin’ up 👍🏻😎💪🏻

 

[Feli]

To be fair advertising board qualified status is a very podiatry like thing to do. MDs don't do this.

Yeah, it's the same as MD world... I see no issues with it.

You can put AACFAS on you sig while you are BQ if you're an ACFAS associate member (Joe Qual, DPM, AACFAS). That is the way to use it within the rules an regs.

In the end, it's basically a way to signal and recognize other DPMs who have put in the work.
Most patients and MDs don't know what FACFAS or AACFAS or DABPM or just DPM is anyways, but it makes it pretty quick and easy for us to tell who has what level of training and what we might expect them to know or do. Some hospitals know what's going on, and some don't. I think it helps when screening through CVs, referring, etc.

 

[Feli]

But I feel like if these facts were brought up in a deposition or even prior to a deposition the expert testimony should be thrown out. Since it's clear the expert witness has no real expertise in the pathology in question. I don't understand how these DPMs can make a living off this stuff still when they can't even produce the training logs or attending logs to back up their "expertise" in rearfoot or ankle pathology.

They absolutely will.

Any 'expert' not appropriately cert and actively (or VERY recently) performing what procedures they are 'expert' in on the patient/plaintiff side will be DQ'd by any doc/hospital/defendant attorney worth their salt. It simply takes doing the proper checks and 5min digging or reading their CV.

All that the med or no cert doc will try to to is say 'orthotics would have fixed the issues, surgery not necessary, blah blah' and say that they know about any surgery in question since they do CME (despite not doing it or passing the appropriate exams). These DPMs are liked about as much as Harvey Weinstein is, and they are gradually going away, but some do a dozen or more depositions and trials per year (all plaintiff, obviously). I honestly believe they are only 'sought' since they are cheap for the ambulance chase plaintiff lawyers, and the attorney hiring them has a main hope of just to coerce a settlement with implication of trial. Not sure. I'm sure there are a few unfortunate MDs like this also.

Catchin’ up 👍🏻😎💪🏻

There is a lot of overlap... just like APMA and ACFAS. I am one of thousands counted in both boards (paid for ABPM 10yrs when I had hospital large CME allow); some DPMs keep both even after ABFAS cert. It is definitely not either/or... it's one, other, both, fake, or none. There's the whole spectrum and good reason people are confused.

I am highly amazed ABPM doesn't have the larger number of the two recognized DPM boards.
Unless their group/hospital says they are 100% fine in that area/job with ABFAS BQ, all new grads should get ABPM fresh out of residency just for simplifying insurance and hospital reasoning and apps in their first few years out. Hospitals and a fair amount of private insurances aren't used to the extended BQ, even for surgeons. Later, if/when the DPM does pass ABFAS BC, it's kinda their choice if they want to drop or keep up doing dues/CME with ABPM also.

 

[GreenHousePub]

Any 'expert' not appropriately cert and actively (or VERY recently) performing what procedures they are 'expert' in on the patient/plaintiff side will be DQ'd by any doc/hospital/defendant attorney worth their salt. It simply takes doing the proper checks and 5min digging or reading their CV.

Except if they are MD. One case I know was a lapidus that ended up elevated. Expert plantiff MD witness had never done a lapidus, yet still testified. Defendant podiatrist lost.

 

[Boba Foot]

Except if they are MD. One case I know was a lapidus that ended up elevated. Expert plantiff MD witness had never done a lapidus, yet still testified. Defendant podiatrist lost.

What grounds were they even sued on? A bad outcome isn't necessarily malpractice unless there was negligence involved. Right?

 

[HardRoadPaved]

What grounds were they even sued on? A bad outcome isn't necessarily malpractice unless there was negligence involved. Right?

Improper surgical technique. So all you need to say is that it deviated from standard of care

 

[SouthPod7]

Except if they are MD. One case I know was a lapidus that ended up elevated. Expert plantiff MD witness had never done a lapidus, yet still testified. Defendant podiatrist lost.

Wait, I thought only DPM could act as an expert witness against/for another DPM?

 

[Pronation]

Wait, I thought only DPM could act as an expert witness against/for another DPM?

I believe there are some states where an MD can be an expert witness against a DPM but not vice versa.

 

[Feli]

I believe there are some states where an MD can be an expert witness against a DPM but not vice versa.

Yeah, there are... mostly New England and East ones. That's a nightmare. It's a small minority of USA, though.

Usually, the MD opinions in a DPM malpractice case will just be other specialists... Neuro, Pain, ID, Vasc, etc as pertinent.

 

[air bud]

Yeah, there are... mostly New England and East ones. That's a nightmare. It's a small minority of USA, though.

Usually, the MD opinions in a DPM malpractice case will just be other specialists... Neuro, Pain, ID, Vasc, etc as pertinent.

I was an expert witness against a non surgical MD....guess who won?

 

[619]

I was an expert witness against a non surgical MD....guess who won?

The lawyers

 

[air bud]

The lawyers

lol. This is the way. But at least I was able to claim some income for my "business" when opening new business credit cards...love my some chase points (Hyatt transfer only....maybe bonus transfers to partners for international biz class).

 

[Feeter]

I am just happy to see CutswithFury and Lee Rogers conversing without fighting.

That timeline and acronyms of podiatry boards is wild to see and learn about.

Is there a practical solution to this confusing two boards situation for podiatry? Or are we stuck with two boards for the time being?

 

[icebreaker32]

I am just happy to see CutswithFury and Lee Rogers conversing without fighting.

That timeline and acronyms of podiatry boards is wild to see and learn about.

Is there a practical solution to this confusing two boards situation for podiatry? Or are we stuck with two boards for the time being?

Their are 2 CPME approved boards, so we are stuck with 2....unless they merge which is not happening anytime soon or it the CPME.decides to only approve one board which is also not happening anytime soon.

 

[deleted1149159]

Ok, this makes tons of sense everyone.

Those who NEVER did a surgical residency or touched an ankle can advertised as "board certified in foot and ankle surgery".

Those who spent 200k on DPM school, did 3 years of residency, and passed the BQ test can not say a word and must keep their mouth shut?

Makes tons of sense right?

If you think about this and are intellectually honest about it, what does Board Qualified actually mean? You passed a test and are half way to become certified. That's it. Why should anyone care about that? This has nothing to do what others can or can't advertise or what their professional accolades are.

Truth be told, being "Board Certified" means very little anymore. Only we care. No one else even knows what it means. And it has now become nothing but a money grab. What they put new graduating residents through to get "certified" is ridiculous. And don't even get me started on these ridiculous 30 question tests we now have to do every three months. Ugh.

 

[Utvolsdpm]

If you think about this and are intellectually honest about it, what does Board Qualified actually mean? You passed a test and are half way to become certified. That's it. Why should anyone care about that? This has nothing to do what others can or can't advertise or what their professional accolades are.

Truth be told, being "Board Certified" means very little anymore. Only we care. No one else even knows what it means. And it has now become nothing but a money grab. What they put new graduating residents through to get "certified" is ridiculous. And don't even get me started on these ridiculous 30 question tests we now have to do every three months. Ugh.

Yea I don’t understand why we had to take a test to be board qualified then have to take the exact same test again to become Board certified (at least used to be part 1/2). I think it is condensed now into new cbps/new foot exam/new rra which makes more sense.

(I left our case reviews obviously, but the previous system of part 1 and part 2 seemed like an obvious cash grab when it was the exact same exam)

 

[NatCh]

I don't mind the quarterly 30 questions. It's better than waiting 10 years for a big do-or-die exam.

 

[deleted1149159]

I don't mind the quarterly 30 questions. It's better than waiting 10 years for a big do-or-die exam.

The whole concept of recert is a money grab only. Do you get your CMEs to satisfy your state board? Yes. Do you have privileges and perform surgery at a licensed facility? Yes. Recert. Boom. How exactly does a written exam for a physical skill tell the public anything at all?