ABPMR Announces Three New Subspecialty Certifications

The American Board of Medicine Specialties (ABMS) recently approved three subspecialty applications that were submitted by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR). Academy members who have questions about this certification should contact ABPMR at (507) 282-1776 or visit the ABPMR Web site at www.abpmr.org for updated information.

Sports medicine

In September 2006, the American Board of Medicine Specialties (ABMS) approved the ABPMR application to join with four other ABMS Boards to grant Sports Medicine subspecialty certification. The other ABMS Boards are: the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Pediatrics (ABPeds), and the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM).

ABFM will administer the subspecialty examination and ABPMR will credential and issue the subspecialty certificates for ABPMR diplomates. The first examination will be in July 2007. Applications are available online at www.abpmr.org.

Qualifications for Application

All applicants for subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine must be current ABPMR Diplomates in good standing. Additional requirements are explained below.

Applicants for examinations given 2007-2011 must:

• Complete 12 months of an ACGME–accredited Sports Medicine fellowship (the training program must occur after completing residency, and must be completed by the July 31 of the examination year)

- OR -

• Under temporary criteria (available through the 2011 exam) complete a minimum of five years practicing Sports Medicine full-time or part time. During that period, more than 20% of the time averaged over five years must have been devoted to sports medicine (must be completed by the July 31 of the examination year)

• Complete 30 continuing medical education (CME) credits relevant to Sports Medicine that have been obtained at Sports Medicine courses, national meetings, or closely related offerings (completed within the five-year practice period).

Applicants for examinations given 2012 and thereafter must:

• Complete 12 months of an ACGME–accredited Sports Medicine fellowship (the training program must occur after completing residency, and must be completed by the July 31 of the examination year)

Physiatrists who have successfully completed residency training in PM&R will be able to enter existing training programs in Sports Medicine (the majority currently are in Family Medicine) and then sit for the certifying examination. PM&R training programs will be able to develop subspecialty residencies in Sports Medicine to expand the opportunities for training in musculoskeletal sports medicine. The examination content outline is available on the ABPMR Web site. Other information relating to application and examination requirements, as well as timelines, will be posted when they have been determined.

Hospice and palliative medicine

On September 19, 2006, ABMS also approved the new subspecialty of hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) with ABPMR as one of ten (10) sponsors of this new subspecialty.

New information will be posted on the ABPMR Web site when application and examination requirements, as well as timelines, are determined.

Neuromuscular Medicine

In September 2005, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved a joint application by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and ABPMR to develop subspecialty certification in neuromuscular medicine.

Training in the subspecialty will require 12 months in an ACGME–accredited fellowship. At least six months must be spent in clinical care of patients with neuromuscular disorders. The remaining six months of the fellowship will be flexible and may be spent studying related fields such as medical genetics, muscle pathology, electrodiagnostic medicine, or research.

Physiatrists interested in this subspecialty may satisfy the requirements with six months' training in clinical neuromuscular medicine and six months in an EMG lab. The joint application recognizes that physiatrists receive training in EMG during their residencies. It also recognizes that both physiatrists and neurologists are qualified to enter fellowship training in this subspecialty.

There will be a five-year window during which physicians who consider themselves neuromuscular medicine specialists by virtue of time and effort may take the subspecialty examination. Physicians should have a minimum of 25% of professional time devoted to neuromuscular medicine or one year of non–ACGME–approved training in neuromuscular medicine. The first examination will be in 2008. ABPN will administer the subspecialty examination, and both ABPN and ABPMR will issue the subspecialty certificates.

New information will be posted on the ABPMR Web site when application and examination requirements, as well as timelines, are determined.

The Academy will update members on these new subspecialty certifications as information becomes available. However, it is recommended that all questions regarding subspecialty certification be directed to the American Board of PMR as it is the certifying body for the specialty.

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