Board Certified
Most medical specialists have recognized certifying boards. Hospitals, surgical centers, health care plans, and patients often depend upon these recognized boards to verify certification status of physicians. Doctors who are board certified are referred to as "diplomates."
A podiatric surgeon certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery has successfully completed a credentialing and examination process and has demonstrated knowledge of podiatric surgery, including the diagnosis of general medical problems and surgical management of foot diseases, deformities, and trauma of the foot and ankle and related structures.
The American Board of Podiatric Surgery was founded in 1975 as an independent, nonprofit organization for the purpose of certifying podiatric surgeons found to be qualified after meeting credentialing requirements and completing the examination process. ABPS is recognized by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, which is the accrediting agency of the American Podiatric Medical Association. The major objective of ABPS is to protect and improve the health and welfare of the public by the advancement of the art and science of podiatric surgery.
After completing four years of podiatric medical school, a podiatric surgeon participates in a surgical residency program or postdoctoral education to prepare for the specialty of podiatric surgery. After several years of clinical experience and practice, a podiatric surgeon may apply for board certification. This precertification clinical experience requirement assures that your board certified podiatric surgeon brings significant experience to the care of your feet.
A podiatric surgeon who is certified by ABPS has successfully completed an intensive certification process with three major components: surgical case review, a written examination, and an oral examination.
1) Case review: When applying for certification, a candidate submits x-rays, operative reports, and other chart materials relating to surgeries performed in the five years before applying. The ABPS Credentials Committee reviews the management of these cases from the time the patient came into the office, through the surgery, and the final outcome. The committee determines that the candidates abilities, as reflected in these materials, meet the standards set by ABPS.
2) Written Examination: Candidates for certification must pass a written examination that tests academic knowledge of podiatric medicine and surgery. This examination has been developed and carefully analyzed over the years in consultation with independent medical education testing specialists in order to assure that the written examination conforms to the highest standards of professional testing.
3) Oral Examination: The final step toward certification is the oral examination. This examination tests the candidate's clinical judgment and reasoning skills. During the oral examination, the candidate is required to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of several actual case scenarios in accordance with standards set by ABPS.