The ABMS Advisory Body on Specialty Board Development (Advisory Body) has initiated a 90-day open comment period related to the creation of the new Board of Cardiovascular Medicine. This critical step in the application and review process, provides an opportunity for public participation in the decision-making process. Cardiologists, other clinicians, patients, the public and other stakeholders are encouraged to share their feedback and support for a new approach to continuous learning and competency-based certification that ultimately optimizes cardiovascular patient care and outcomes. The deadline to submit comments is July 24.
The ABMS Advisory Board on Specialty Development is accepting written third-party comments via an online submission form on their website. All comments will be shared with the applicant board and the Advisory Body. Anonymous comments will not be accepted.
In addition to providing basic identifying information, including your name and email, the comment form consists of three main questions: 1) Do you agree with the creation of a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine; 2) Does the new Board meet ABMS requirements for initial certification; and 3) Does the new Board meet ABMS requirements for continuous certification.
Along with indicating your agreement, the form includes opportunities to provide any comments related to your responses, as well as a chance to upload a letter or document. Additional comments on the ways a specialized, independent Board of Cardiovascular Medicine would benefit you, your hospital, practice and/or your patients are strongly encouraged.
The field of cardiology has evolved as its own distinct specialty, separate from internal medicine. Having a separate and distinct certifying Board is best for cardiovascular professionals and their patients. The new Board will focus on continuous competence to maintain clinical excellence by meeting the unique needs of today’s cardiovascular professionals and the patients they serve.
The new Board of cardiovascular medicine is committed to putting patients first. It will do this by:
- Bringing together CV professionals who are committed to improving the quality of care for patients.
- Supporting innovation in cardiovascular medicine, so that patients have access to the latest and most effective treatments.
- Promoting lifelong education for CV clinicians, so that they stay up-to-date on the latest advances in the field.
- Encouraging CV clinicians to use data-driven solutions to improve the quality of care for patients.
There is a formal application process for reviewing and evaluating applications for approval of new ABMS medical specialty boards. We expect this approval process to take 8-12 months. If approval is granted, it would be several more months before the formation of the new Board is complete and initial certification and supporting continuous competency programs would begin.
The new Board of Cardiovascular Medicine is governed by a Board of Directors comprising cardiovascular professionals spanning the field of cardiology. A total of 15 directors will guide the new Board and will be responsible for strategically developing and implementing the initial certification and supporting continuous certification programs once a decision by the American Board of Medical Specialties has been made. Learn more.
The continuous competency program for the new Board will not require taking any new exams or any future exams so long as diplomates complete the requirements for the program within the five-year cycle. If you are participating in the 10-year exam pathway, continue with the 10-year pathway. If the new Board is approved, a process will be implemented for seamless transition to the new Board’s continuous competency program, and specifics will be determined once the new Board is established.
If you are participating in the CMP, continue with the CMP. If the new Board is approved, a process will be implemented for seamless transition to the new Board’s continuous competency program. Details surrounding the specifics of this will be determined once the new Board is established.
If you are participating in the CMP, continue with the CMP. If the new Board is approved, a process will be implemented for seamless transition to the new Board’s continuous competency program. Details surrounding the specifics of this will be determined once the new Board is established.
If the new board is approved, you would enter the new Board’s continuous competency pathway in a five-year cycle.
You would enter the new Board’s continuous competency pathway in a five-year cycle in general cardiology. See “What will the new Board’s continuous competency program look like?” If approved, once the new Board is active, it is certainly possible that consideration could be given to a continuous competency process for individuals who want to maintain a cardiovascular subspecialty certification without a designation to perform procedures.
The ABMS publishes standards to which all its member boards adhere. These standards state that only one medical specialty board will be recognized in each specialty. Therefore, if the new CV Board is approved, all cardiologists wishing to secure and maintain a Board certification in general cardiology, interventional cardiology, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology, and/or adult congenital heart disease will do so through the new CV Board.
Eligibility to sit for a cardiology certification currently requires an internal medicine certification. There is no plan to change that requirement when the new Board becomes active.
The establishment of a new Board inherently recognizes the unique nature of cardiovascular medicine as a specialty distinct from internal medicine. It provides a professional home and governance structure that is best representative of cardiovascular physicians and their practice. Built by the house of cardiology, the new Board will bring together CV professionals who are committed to innovation, quality improvement, lifelong education and data-driven solutions to maintain clinical excellence. Importantly, the new Board will move away from high-stakes exams and chart a new path focused on ensuring that cardiovascular clinicians are able to demonstrate continued clinical competency over the span of their careers.
Cardiologists are learning every day with each patient encounter and every clinical scenario. The new Board will leverage this reality towards delivering value by focusing on the daily experiences and acquired actionable clinical knowledge reflective of one’s scope of practice. Efficient self-identification of knowledge gaps will direct diplomates to self-selected relevant educational materials. Accordingly, busy practicing cardiologists will be able to enhance their clinical competence in a less complex, simplified manner that is both cost and time efficient. Using novel learning technology that offers convenient connections to a broad set of professional resources, the new Board will reduce burdens, promote relevance and decrease individual costs.
If approved and once the new Board is active, it is certainly possible that additional certifications related to cardiology could be added. Such decisions will be the purview of the certifying Board’s independent board of directors.
