ABMS Board Certified Specialists: A Detailed Review
The ABMS Board Certification Report stands as the definitive source for information on diplomates certified by the ABMS Member Boards. A diplomate is a physician or medical specialist who has proven expertise in a specific medical area and is board certified. The term remains applicable as long as the certification is active.
This report provides an exhaustive list of specialty and subspecialty certificates recognized by the ABMS, details the number of these certifications issued over the past decade, and breaks down the distribution of board-certified diplomates by specialty, board, and geographic location.
In the current issue of "Credentialing Insider," we unpack the pivotal findings of the ABMS Board Certification Report.
Insights from the ABMS Board Certification Report
The ABMS Board Certification Report for 2022-2023 reveals significant growth among board-certified physicians and medical specialists. These experts use their certifications as a testament to their advanced skills and steadfast commitment to providing top-notch, effective healthcare.
By 2023, an impressive total of 988,737 specialists were actively certified by an ABMS Member Board, highlighting a robust dedication to the highest standards of medical practice.
Geographic Distribution
Washington, D.C. stands out with the highest number of board-certified clinicians—65.63 for every 10,000 people. Massachusetts follows with 45.51, Maryland with 40.49, and Connecticut with 40.07. In another tier, Rhode Island boasts a clinician density of 36.30 per 10,000, with Pennsylvania at 33.61 and Hawaii at 33.52. Both California and Washington state mirror each other with a rate of 29.94 per 10,000. Virginia records 29.55 and Ohio 29.43.
In further observations, Nebraska shows a clinician density of 26.89, just ahead of Missouri's 26.65, South Dakota's 26.18, and Tennessee's 25.95. New Mexico leads a cluster with 23.86, closely tailed by North Dakota, Utah, Arizona, and Georgia, all ranging from 23.40 to 23.86 per 10,000 people. On the lower end, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Nevada report the sparsest concentrations at 19.89, 19.83, and 19.36 per 10,000, respectively.
*density per 10,000 people at the state level
Age and Gender Breakdown
The composition of board-certified specialists is evolving, reflecting broader changes in the demographics of the medical profession. Presently, the gender distribution among younger specialists is balanced, marking a shift from older cohorts where men predominate. Currently, women constitute 33.4% of all active diplomates, men make up 60.4%, and the gender for 6.2% remains unspecified.
The average age of a board-certified diplomate stands at 57, with the median age slightly younger at 56. This age distribution highlights the seasoned nature of these professionals, suggesting that the pathway to board certification is one that often requires extensive experience and practice in the field.
Certifications Awarded
In 2022, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) awarded a remarkable total of 33,600 new specialty certificates and 16,972 subspecialty certificates to physicians and medical specialists. This indicates not only a significant achievement but also a deepening expertise across various medical fields. It’s interesting to note that about 25% of diplomates from ABMS Member Boards hold more than one active certification, which illustrates a commitment to enhancing their specialized medical skills.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the specialty areas and the number of new certificates awarded in each:
Continuing Certification
As of 2023, the ABMS Board Certification Database recorded participation from 698,314 diplomates in the continuing certification process. This substantial number reflects the ongoing commitment to professional development within the medical community over the last two decades.
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Continuing certification starts with initial certification, which serves as a gateway for medical specialists to engage in structured, pertinent activities aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge. While participation in such activities is mandatory for maintaining certification, some older diplomates were initially certified before this requirement existed. Despite this, the ABMS Member Boards actively encourage all diplomates to participate in these beneficial programs.
2024 Projections
Given the consistent growth in the number of new certificates and the focus on subspecialties, we expect several trends to continue this year.
Expect an increase of 3-5%, projecting to approximately 34,700 new specialty certificates and 17,500 new subspecialty certificates in 2024. An estimated growth to 1,000,000 active diplomates by the end of 2024, reflecting a steady rise in medical professionals seeking board certification.
Anticipated to increase by 4-6%, potentially reaching over 730,000 diplomates engaged in continuing certification processes.
Projected increases in certifications particularly in Medical Genetics and Genomics (5% growth), Emergency Medicine (4% growth), and Psychiatry and Neurology (3.5% growth).
A projected increase by 10% in certifications requiring new technological skills, due to advancements in medical technologies and digital health solutions.
Efforts to balance gender distribution may see the percentage of female diplomats increase to 35%. A decrease in the median age of diplomates to 55 years due to newer entrants in the certification process.
Continued high concentration in Washington D.C., Massachusetts, and Maryland, with potential rises in states like California and New York due to their large healthcare systems and medical education centers.
Forward Together
The landscape of medical certification is not just expanding—it's evolving, reflecting deeper expertise and a more diversified medical community. Whether you are considering your first certification or looking to add another specialty to your credentials, the path to certification is a significant stride toward excellence in healthcare.
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6 个月This is interesting, can't wait to learn more.