Subject: Boards in Podiatry
Have to agree with you on this
issue. But it will take time to change. The creation of multiple boards was an
outgrowth of our subdividing podiatric residencies into subspecialties in the
early 80s. I realize that the reason for the subdividing was the need to expand
the number of programs to provide for everyone. But that created a vacuum for
those who had residency training in either a PPMR or a POR to get some type of
board qualification. Fortunately the ABPO and the ABPPM had the presence of mind
to recognize that they could combine their efforts into a single board.
It will take time for those
who are trained in the new comprehensive residency models to take over the
leadership of the current certifying boards, and I think once they do, then we
will see a move to combine the current boards into a single board. I do believe
that the profession does need to continue its various subspecialty colleges
(e.g. ACFAS, etc.) to promote excellence and research into the many facets of
podiatric medicine.
Keep up speaking out on these
important issues for our profession.
Robert D. Phillips, D.P.M.
Attending Physician
Coatesville VAMC
Robert.Phillips2@va.gov
Subject: One Board..why?
It sounds great but first lets
break it down. If there were one board, lets say the American board of Podiatric
surgery and medicine, then should there be two certificates? Medicine and
surgery? If you say no, there should be one certificate, then how do you deal
with this scenario? One finishes his or her program, gathers their cases, and
sits for the one board. Now ten years go by and that individual decides never to
touch a scalpel again and needs to be re-certified. How does this new board say
to the public this person is certified in surgery and medicine yet has never
been in an operating room!
Therefore one must realize
even with the advent of one board there must be two certificates otherwise that
person can never be certified again! He or she may not be able to become
certified to begin with if their practice patterns cause them to get involved in
a practice that does not involve surgery or medicine-- we will have people who
are well trained but have chosen to specialize in either medicine or surgery
only and therefore never have access to certification.
So one should realize even if
there were to become one board there would always need to be two certificates!
So what was accomplished? Right now each board "guards" their own domain which
is how it should be.
Charles M Lombardi, DPM
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
Chazdpm@aol.com
Subject: One Board...yes
I could not agree with you
more regarding one certifying board. As the profession including both certifying
boards ABPS & ABPOPPM agreed to develop competencies and create the PM&S
residency training models to have ALL podiatric residency training be uniform
and comprehensive.
"FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION"... I
strongly believe that the Certifying Boards (ABPOPPM & ABPS) should be proactive
and start working on both testing and organization to create one certifying
board that reflects the PM&S training. They should put their politics and ego's
behind them and start thinking about the residency graduates that will
ultimately seek board certification with their boards. I think to push this
issue, it should come from the current residents in training and Podiatric
Residency directors. I also think the COTH should get involved in this issue and
press the boards to start action on creating the new board "The American Board
of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery" ABPMS. It has a nice ring to it.
Marshall G. Solomon, DPM
Chair-AACPM
Director of Podiatric Education
Botsford General Hospital
msolomondpm@aol.com
