The Certification Process Driving Patient Safety

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety
• Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background:

• In 2016, a joint call urged medical boards to integrate patient safety into certification.
• Physician certification processes are crucial for maintaining high standards of care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe how the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology integrates patient safety into its certification.
• To detail the incorporation of patient safety in initial and continuous certification.

Main Methods:

• Review of initial certification processes for patient safety assessment.
• Analysis of maintenance of certification components for patient safety integration.

Main Results:

• Patient safety principles are assessed within initial certification examinations.
• Patient safety is intentionally embedded in all components of the maintenance of certification program.

Conclusions:

• The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology actively incorporates patient safety into physician certification.
• This integration aims to enhance patient safety standards in obstetrics and gynecology practice.