Board Certification — It's Never Too Early


by Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Joined practice July 2006 of
John K Throckmorton, DPM
Lansing, Michigan

I’ve been in practice now for almost 1½ years.  As such, board certification is now starting to loom in the not too far distant future.  During residency I didn’t spend much time worrying about board certification, but now that I’m in practice it’s time to start thinking about it.  To that end I’m beginning my self-education about the process, and I figured I would help to give those of you either new in practice or still in residency a bit of a head start.

To begin my own education, I’ve started down three avenues.  First, I’m educating myself about the process. There are TWO PRIMARY BOARDS you can certify with: the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, ABPS (www.abps.org) and the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine, ABPOPPM (www.abpoppm.org).

You can certify with both if you desire. Each board has its own website with pertinent qualification and certification criteria. For the rest of the discussion.

I’m going to focus on the ABPS certification.

On their site you’ll see a section for members/candidates.  Go to “documents” and you’ll find access to the 210 and 220 documents which provide information and forms about the process.  I would recommend keeping a copy for yourself.  Additionally, the ABPS bylaws are available, which you may also want to review.  There are two types of certification possible with the ABPS: FOOT SURGERY and REARFOOT RECONSTRUCTION & ANKLE SURGERY. You can test for either or both.

Foot surgery certification requires submission of 65 cases, while rearfoot reconstruction requires 30 submissions.  You’ll need 95 cases if you plan on trying for both certifications at the same time.  Additionally, there are subcategories with a required number for each.  For example, 15 digital cases are required.  These are also supposed to be your best cases.  If you had a result you’re not quite happy with, avoid submitting that case.  ABPS has you create a binder with very specific information.  This requires quite a bit of leg work, so starting early and staying organized will pay off in the end.

Second, I’m collecting cases.  I’ve started a spreadsheet with patient names, office numbers, dates, and types of procedures to help keep organized. I’ve also added a row for the subcategories so I can easily keep track of how close I am to the specific requirements. I’m using a digital camera to take as many photos as possible, including pre- and postoperative clinical photos and radiographs.  Keep in mind, though, that digital photos of cases from the office are not considered acceptable.  You have to provide radiographic copies of your office radiographs.  If you use digital radiography you’ll have to attest to the unaltered nature of the radiographs.

Third, I’m creating a study schedule for myself for the oral portion of the exam.  As I’ve mentioned previously, it’s very easy to stop studying after residency.  So, in order to give myself time I’m starting very early focusing right now on what I come across in practice.  As it gets closer to the exam I’ll focus more on those things I don’t see as often.  For example, I’m not going to spend much time early on memorizing trauma classifications, which only seem useful for boards. I'd also urge you to utilize the PRESENT Courseware lectures and board review materials. This is a great high-yield way to rapidly review the various important podiatric topics you're likely to be tested on during your board exam.

Here are some random thoughts on this topic:

  1. If you’re an associate of another physician I’d recommend copying charts, etc early and often for those cases you’re planning on using for the boards.  Most associateships seem to dissolve after the first one to two years.  If this happens you may lose access to your cases.

  2. Stay organized and start the process early.  It’s no fun trying to tackle a mountain of work at the last minute.  Break the process up into small bites that you can fit into your busy schedule.

  3. Keep board certification in mind when you’re looking for a job after residency.  If you plan on certifying for the rearfoot reconstruction exam be sure you’ll have the opportunity to build these cases in practice.  If you, for example, go into a practice where the patient population prevents you from doing rearfoot surgery or any trauma then you may have difficulty compiling enough cases for the boards.

  4. Residency cases are no longer accepted.  I know, I’m crying as I write this!

  5. Be aware of deadlines for applications and fees.  All this hard work will be for nothing if you miss an important deadline.

For those of you already starting the process, we’d love to hear from you.  What are your experiences thus far?  What tips do you have for the rest of us to make all our lives that much easier?  What hurdles have you come across with your preparations? Good luck with your board preparations.



Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT New Docs Editor
[email protected]

 
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