Board certification: associations with physicians' demographics and performances during medical school and residency

To examine the associations between board certification and both physicians' demographics and their performances during medical school and residency.

Data were prospectively collected for 1,186 medical students in three major specialty areas for the Jefferson Medical College's graduating classes of 1976 through 1985.

Older students and underrepresented minorities were less likely to achieve certification. Overall, physicians who achieved board certification had performed better during medical school and residency than had those without certification. The prediction of board certification using academic performance indicators is limited, particularly for older and minority groups.

This study demonstrated an overall positive relationship between physicians' board certification status and their past academic performances. The potential impact of the increases of both older students and minority physicians on rates of board certification needs to be considered by specialty boards and other policymakers.