I’m a DO applying to Sports Medicine fellowship...which Family Medicine Boards should I take?

[cgcoz]

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I’m a DO applying to Sports Medicine fellowships. I’m trying to decide which Family Medicine Board exams to take. I’ve spoken with a handful of providers who all recommend different things. Some ABFM, some AOBFP - Some recommended both exams.

A CAQ is available down either route (ABFM or AOCSMEC), but is there one that is preferred?

Right now my plan is to take both exams so that I can get my CAQ with ABFM and also graduate my residency with FM &OMT. However, I’d prefer to just take 1 test. I don’t love standardized tests. And I think maintaining both licenses will be annoying/overwhelming. Any recommendations or words of advice?

Thanks.

 

[door_to_balloon_knot]

I’m a DO applying to Sports Medicine fellowships. I’m trying to decide which Family Medicine Board exams to take. I’ve spoken with a handful of providers who all recommend different things. Some ABFM, some AOBFP - Some recommended both exams.

A CAQ is available down either route (ABFM or AOCSMEC), but is there one that is preferred?

Right now my plan is to take both exams so that I can get my CAQ with ABFM and also graduate my residency with FM &OMT. However, I’d prefer to just take 1 test. I don’t love standardized tests. And I think maintaining both licenses will be annoying/overwhelming. Any recommendations or words of advice?

Thanks.

From the west coast here and this is all anecdotal. ABFM seems more legit and is less tests. With AOBFP I think you have take more tests with the fellowship but I’m not sure exactly why at the moment as I forgot.

 

[TableMD]

I dont think employers will care, my instinct is that ABFM would be easier but I suppose it depends upon whether you want to maintain your certification for OMT? Im not sure that works, maybe knock both out now and decide upon what you want to do when it’s time to renew?

The renewal requirements evolve. I can tell you that going to AMSSM and another conference/activity plus knocking out a few modules is enough to maintain boards without too much effort for ABFM and we will likely have a renewal exam for the CAQ in 10 years, but all of this evolves

 

[sportsman123]

I’m a DO applying to Sports Medicine fellowships. I’m trying to decide which Family Medicine Board exams to take. I’ve spoken with a handful of providers who all recommend different things. Some ABFM, some AOBFP - Some recommended both exams.

A CAQ is available down either route (ABFM or AOCSMEC), but is there one that is preferred?

Right now my plan is to take both exams so that I can get my CAQ with ABFM and also graduate my residency with FM &OMT. However, I’d prefer to just take 1 test. I don’t love standardized tests. And I think maintaining both licenses will be annoying/overwhelming. Any recommendations or words of advice?

Thanks.

I'm currently a sports medicine fellow (Family Medicine and DO), and I have co-residents who are also DOs that have matched to top sports medicine fellowship programs where everyone else in the program is an MD. It does not matter whether you take the ABFM or AOBFP board certification exam. Some of us took the family medicine AOBFP board certification, while others took the ABFM, and we all matched to our top sports medicine programs. The difference is that those who took the AOBFP family medicine board exam will take the AOA sports medicine CAQ boards, and those who took the ABFM family medicine board certification exam will take the ABFM sports medicine CAQ board exam.

Regarding job prospects, employers just want you to pass either exam to become board certified. Personally, I had no issues securing a job at an orthopedic group, doing 100% sports medicine in a major city. It doesn't matter which exam you take because everyone receives the same training and studies from the same materials (past ITE exams, CAQ books, Mayo videos, Netter's, etc.), and everyone will be board-certified sports medicine physicians. I'm actually preparing for my AOA sports medicine CAQ exam, and I have zero regrets going this route. I hope this helps and best of luck 🙂

 

[Sardonix]

Just take the ABFM boards.

Nothing DO administrative related gets a single cent of my money again. Such a redundant, arrogant, and useless organization.

 

[Flux10567]

I am a DO and just finished my PCSM fellowship. I took the ABFM boards (a more fair test imo) and had no problems passing. Compared to ABOFM, where the questions are completely random and nonsense at times, the ABFM is more straightforward and fair. The CAQ test for ABFM was pretty tricky, but I believe the pass rate is 90% for first time takers. Either way, there is no problem with job security and I was never asked once in the job application about what test I took. Just as long as you are board certified, that's all they care about.