Multiple board certification

[Symmetry11]

Can a physician board certified in multiple specialties practice different disciplines at the same time?

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[Winged Scapula]

1) you don't need to be Board Certified to practice
2) there is no restriction to what you can practice, as long as you have a license to practice
3) so technically, you can practice multiple specialties if you like
4) it is difficult to do multiple things well
5) the pre-med fantasy of being a pediatric endocrinologist who practices plastic surgery is not realistic

 

[circulus vitios]

5) the pre-med fantasy of being a pediatric endocrinologist who practices plastic surgery is not realistic

I don't have any such fantasy, but I've heard that insurances will refuse to reimburse physicians who are practicing outside of their specialty, and that getting malpractice coverage will be nearly impossible. Is this true?

 

[gyngyn]

I don't have any such fantasy, but I've heard that insurances will refuse to reimburse physicians who are practicing outside of their specialty, and that getting malpractice coverage will be nearly impossible. Is this true?

The rate limiting step is the acquisition of hospital privileges. You can do anything you have been trained to do (and can afford the liability insurance for).

If your practice does not require a hospital, you may do anything in the scope of practice for a physician and surgeon (at least in CA).

There are some exceptions. Involuntary confinement may be restricted to authorized psychiatrists...

 

[Winged Scapula]

I don't have any such fantasy, but I've heard that insurances will refuse to reimburse physicians who are practicing outside of their specialty, and that getting malpractice coverage will be nearly impossible. Is this true?

As noted above, insurance companies and malpractice providers may place restrictions on what they will reimburse for and cover.

For example, I can get coverage to plastic surgery cases but it requires a separate, more expensive rider on my malpractice insurance (assuming the hospital would allow me to even do such cases).

 

[group_theory]

There are some fields where you can practice multiple specialties (and be multi-boarded)
Examples include Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Pulmonary-Critical Care Medicine-Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry-Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry-Neurology, etc. There are a few Cardiology-Critical Care trained doctors as well. It's doable, but long training ...and also finding t he right job that will let you do what you are trained to do. Downside ... It is a pain to maintain multiple board certifications (MOCs)


Disclaimer: I currently hold 2 separate board certifications (and going for more)

 

[loltopsy]

Wait, you're telling me that my favorite TV show doctor with triple board certification in derm, plastics, and neurosurgery was LYING TO ME?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc

 

[MadRadLad]

There are some fields where you can practice multiple specialties (and be multi-boarded)
Examples include Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Pulmonary-Critical Care Medicine-Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry-Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry-Neurology, etc. There are a few Cardiology-Critical Care trained doctors as well. It's doable, but long training ...and also finding t he right job that will let you do what you are trained to do. Downside ... It is a pain to maintain multiple board certifications (MOCs)


Disclaimer: I currently hold 2 separate board certifications (and going for more)

I'm particularly intrigued about neurology-psychiatry. There's a lot of overlap and i'm interested in behavioral neuroscience.

How would this even work? Do you have to do two residencies (aka 4+4=8 years?).

 

[Winged Scapula]

I'm particularly intrigued about neurology-psychiatry. There's a lot of overlap and i'm interested in behavioral neuroscience.

How would this even work? Do you have to do two residencies (aka 4+4=8 years?).

There is a combined residency. See http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=847157