Profession
ABIM warns about "phony" boards
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 8, 2008
The American Board of Internal Medicine has issued a warning to physicians about fraudulent certification boards and societies in geriatric medicine, cardiology and hospital medicine.
In its warning, the ABIM lists 11 boards and societies that it considers "phony." The board recently added another in oncology to the list.
None of the boards under scrutiny is affiliated with the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Assn. Ben Mannes, ABIM director of test security, said the validity of board certification is put at risk by fraudulent accrediting entities.
"That's really the reason we've taken action, because not only is this weakening the integrity of board certification nationwide, but it also weakens the faith the public has in their doctors," he said. "When they see a certificate on the wall, they vouch for [physicians]. And if the certificate's not real, that gives everyone cause to worry."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/12/08/prbf1208.htm.
