There is a very interesting article in the Huffington Post which focuses on doctor/politician Rand Paul and the fact that he is an opthalmologist who is not certified by the American Board of Opthalmology(ABO). Instead, he apparently helped start his own Board, the National Board of Opthalmology (NBO), due to his rejection of certain older doctors being 'grandfathered in' to the ABO and not being required to take recertification exams like all the younger doctors. Unlike the ABO, the NBO is not recognized as a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the governing organization that acts as the gold standard for board-certification. Read the article here, and then my thoughts and opinions follow below.
1. I also disagree with several boards' policies of not requiring older doctors to take recertifying exams. Older doctors, who are farther away from their residency training, should prove their skills and knowledge base like the younger doctors do, otherwise risk losing board-certification.
2. The American Board of Medical Specialties is truly the gold standard for board-certification. The major specialty boards are all in there: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and yes, Plastic Surgery. Other boards just do not carry the same weight as the ones in the ABMS, and that includes all the phony cosmetic-type boards out there. Anyone can start their own board, even Rand Paul! (Note: Osteopaths (D.O.'s) have their own Boards, which are completely separate)
3. Some doctors are fine physicians who receive the appropriate training, just don't take or pass their board exams. This doesn't necessarily make them bad doctors, but doctors with an asterisk*.
On a lighter note, ever wondered which politician I believe needs plastic surgery the most? Click here to find out!
Thanks for reading.
Anthony Youn, M.D.
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