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About Us > The Creation of a New Specialty
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NEXT 3 ABIHM EXAMS1. San Diego, CA
Nov 2nd, 20122. Computerized Exam
Jan 28th-Feb 9th, 20133. Computerized Exam
May 13th-25th, 2013
Study Guide
Annual Review Course
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Physician Comments
Bill Manahan, MD, ABIHM
Being an ABIHM Diplomate gave me the knowledge and assurance that what I did in my practice on a daily basis was based on a body of knowledge approved of and validated by a cohort of my professional integrative holistic medicine colleagues.
The Creation of a New Specialty
Integrative Holistic Medicine is an emerging medical specialty that incorporates (1) caring for the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — to treat and prevent disease; and (2) empowering patients to create a condition of optimal health. Both outside and inside the medical profession, this concept of medicine of the whole person is gathering increasing support. The body-mind-spirit approach integrates many disciplines and modalities, including physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, exercise, environment, emotions, attitudes, beliefs, social relationships, manual medicine, herbs, homeopathy, energy medicine, prayer, acupuncture, meditation, spirituality, and biofeedback.
Holistic Medicine is based on the core belief that unconditional love is life’s most powerful healer. At its essence, the practice of integrative holistic medicine embraces a spirit of interdisciplinary and physician-patient cooperation, balances the mitigation of causes with relief of symptoms, integrates conventional and complementary therapies, and facilitates the experience of being fully alive.
As these concepts are incorporated into American medical practice, medical education, health planning, and research, reasonable standards must be established regarding the application of the body of knowledge which encompasses the field of Integrative Holistic Medicine. The American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM) was incorporated in 1996 to certify physicians through a psychometrically validated examination process. Since 2000, when we provided our first exam, we have certified around 1600 physicians. The process of educating physicians through our Annual Review Course and our extensive Core Curriculum has established a grounding and common knowledge base for those seeking board certification in integrative holistic medicine. Over the last few years, our Board of Directors has proposed more stringent criteria for board certification in Integrative Medicine. The path of all medical specialties and subspecialties, as they gain more widespread acceptance and growing professional acknowledgement, is to require formal training as one of the conditions of sitting for a board certification examination.
When the ABIHM was incorporated, educational opportunities in integrative holistic medicine were scarce. The past 15 years have brought tremendous growth to the field, and training programs in integrative medicine now abound. Many residency programs are offering integrative opportunities, and fellowship training programs in integrative medicine are becoming increasingly available.
The leader in the integrative medicine fellowship arena is the University of Arizona (U of A), whose directors have initiated a relationship with the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) to develop a new board of integrative medicine. For more information about the ABPS, please see www.abpsus.org. The ABIHM has been invited to participate in the development of the new board, as have a number of representatives from academic institutions. Many have historically inquired about the possibility that board certification in integrative medicine might be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Both the ABIHM and the U of A have explored this prospect, and all indications are that the ABMS is not interested in this direction. The ABPS has been offering a strong alternative to ABMS certification since the 1950′s.
It is important to explain that the new board plans to require a fellowship level of training as a prerequisite for board certification. The number of required hours has yet to be determined. However, at least during the first few years that the new board exam is offered, the fellowship requirement is anticipated to be waived for active Diplomates of the ABIHM who meet other basic requirements. Nonetheless, ABIHM Diplomates who wish to pursue certification through the ABPS will need to sit for the new exam. For ABIHM Diplomates who do not wish to undergo ABPS certification, the ABIHM intends to continue to offer its maintenance of certification process into the foreseeable future.
The ABPS anticipates offering the new certification exam as soon as 2013. The ABIHM will continue to offer its certification exam until the new board’s requirements are firmly established. The ABIHM is offering the certification exam at a minimum over the following dates:
1. November 2nd, 2012, following the ABIHM/Scripps Annual Review Course, The Science and Clinical Application of Integrative Holistic Medicine in San Diego (paper and pencil exam)
2. January 28th-February 9th, 2013; computer based exam
3. May 13th-May 15th, computer based exam
The ABIHM supports the development of the new board as a natural progression of the work we have done over the past 15 years to establish the standard for knowledge in integrative holistic medicine. We see the new board as part of the evolution toward a higher and more broadly recognized standard, and we are proud to be a part of the process.
Feel free to contact our office by phone at 218.525.5651 or email at admin@abihm.org if you have questions about these plans. Please recognize that while we have described the current nature of the situation accurately, the process is still under development and subject to change.