title: Perceptions of the certification standards of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
abstract: Perceptions of the certification standards of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the qualities of care provided by certified and non-certified practicing internists are reported from surveys of ABIM Board members, internal medicine program directors, and samples of third-year residents, practicing internists, nurses, and hospital administrators. ABIM pass rates were estimated accurately and viewed as appropriate. Physicians perceived the deficiencies of non-certifiable residents to be in clinical judgment and factual knowledge; non-physicians indicated deficiencies in humanistic qualities. The groups estimated that approximately 70% of all practicing internists and 37% of the non-certified internists they know provide excellent care while 15% of the certified internists give inappropriate care. Perceived deficiencies of internists giving low-quality care were nearly identical to those of non-certifiable residents. The results support ABIM's initial certification process and suggest that a written examination with well chosen standards would be useful for experienced internists.
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006740:Hospital Administrators; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009726:Nurses; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013044:Specialty Boards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States