To say that professionalism is a shared value across the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and its 24 Member Boards is an understatement.
Professionalism is a tenet of ABMS board certification. It permeates the standards for specialty medical care and is grounded in the social contract between medicine and society. Professionalism is an indicator of expertise and trustworthiness by members of both the public and medical community. That is why ABMS has taken proactive steps in recent years to preserve and promote professionalism across the medical specialties in word and deed.
To preserve the trustworthiness of the credential, the ABMS Board of Directors approved a Policy on Professional Conduct in 2022. Establishing and enforcing a code of professional conduct is so important in medical practice that it is among the criteria that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) uses for organizations seeking to be recognized as a physician certifying body. The DHA recognized ABMS Member Boards as physician certifying organizations in new legislation signed into law on December 23, 2024. The Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 establishes the standards for physician certifying bodies and acknowledges that the Member Boards meet the newly approved criteria.
In the face of the growing movement away from science and toward disruption at federal health care agencies, ABMS has reasserted its commitment to preserving professionalism and the standards of specialty medical care.
In its 2023 policy statement on upholding standards in specialty care, ABMS elaborates on the social contract, which “is fulfilled when the profession and government work in alignment, sharing accountability for protecting patient welfare and improving access to person-centered, high-quality health care.” However, when laws or rules conflict with standards set by the profession, they “destabilize the social contract, undermine the legitimacy of professional oversight, and put the patient and population’s health at risk.” ABMS maintains that the “profession must set, maintain, and enforce the highest standards for clinical competence and accountability, and physicians must be permitted to practice according to those standards.” Read the policy in its entirety.
In its position statement on promoting professionalism issued in 2024, ABMS emphasizes its support for Member Boards in adopting policies and fostering programs to promote professionalism, while ensuring alignment with certification standards. Read the position statement in its entirety.
This spring, ABMS released a statement about its continued commitment to maintaining high medical specialty and professionalism standards. In the statement, ABMS “recognizes that individuals in today’s health care environment face unprecedented change and uncertainty.” During these challenging times, “ABMS remains committed to maintaining high standards for physicians and medical specialists who become board certified in a specialty or subspecialty (diplomates).” Furthermore, “ABMS will continue to collaborate with its 24 Member Boards in supporting diplomates as they provide patient care that is grounded in science and is consistent with the standards of knowledge, skills, and judgment established within each specialty.” The statement also notes that “Patients and the public can be assured that no matter where they live or seek medical care, certification by an ABMS Member Board will remain a reliable indicator of medical expertise and trustworthiness.” Read the statement in its entirety.
To assist Member Boards in identifying and developing resources, programs, and offerings that promote professionalism competencies across the medical specialties, ABMS established a Professionalism Collaborative. The Collaborative, which meets in person annually and has virtual meetings throughout the year, is led by ABMS’ Ethics and Professionalism Committee (EPCOM). During the meetings, Member Boards share their progress, successes, challenges, and best practices in developing and implementing pilot professionalism competency activities for initial and/or continuing certification. (Read how Member Boards are integrating professionalism into their certification programs.)
This fall, EPCOM will launch a virtual professionalism lecture series for Member Boards and other stakeholders. Through a combination of expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, and practical case studies, participants will gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to navigate ethical dilemmas, improve communication, and foster a culture of professionalism within their organizations. The lectures will be held a few times a year.
ABMS and its Member Boards will continue to preserve and promote professionalism because it’s not just a tenet of board certification, it’s how health care should be provided to best serve the patients, families, and communities that put their trust in board certified physicians.
The ABMS Policy on Professional Conduct requires all 24 Member Boards to:
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