Board Certified Doctor;

important. My husband is a physisian and knows which of his classmates were the flunkies. These are the non board certified dr.s. I suppose its not a major deal for basic colds and flu type stuff, but there are a number of Dr.s who couldn't finish a residency who settled into cosmetic work. They are not formally trained in the area of experteise, rather self taught. With a few exceptions, I'd say non board certified Dr.s are self taught flunkies. Not a good idea. If its Botox, you'll probably be okay, but anything beyond that, not worth the risk.

I think that most doctors are board certified in their area of expertise. Having that certification requires a certain level of proficiency and it the docs have to recertify on a regular basis.

Good luck with your search. D.

I didn't know you could practice without it!

We see a physician's assistant for routine check ups, and some minor urgent care things. We really like her. But for more serious matters, I always insist on an apointment with a doctor.

Do you have ongoing problems? Do you want the best care?
I would go for the one who has proven to understand the illnesses, prevention of illness, and best treatment. I only go to board certified docs.
When one lost his certification, I switched. I didn't ask if he lost it because of not retraining, failing a test, or getting sanctioned. I didn't care. :0)

Well, first you have to make sure that you understand what "board certified" means. It means that the physician has had to take very in-depth examinations that test to make sure that they are staying current in their field. In order to stay current they make sure that they go to Continuing Medical Education lectures on a regular basis, as well as review the latest literature in their field, and especially studying IN-DEPTH to review pretty much everything they learned in medical school, as none of us can retain EVERYTHING that we learn.

If a physician has not passed the boards, they are likely very poor physicians. I would never entrust myself of any of my loved ones to a doctor who cannot demonstrate command of their subject area.

depends on the issue, but if it is a surgeon, than yes, always make sure they are board certified in there area!

Well, it's not so black and white. Board certification involves a written exam which pretty much happens early when starting your career as a physician, and an oral exam which happens later on as you have to present your own patient cases to a panel of other physicians who grill you on why did you do this? and why didn't you do that? and if the patient presented with x instead of y would you have done something else? and why? A lot of docs in practice aren't board certified because they don't pass the oral boards. You have to wait a full year to retake them, prepare your new cases all over again, fly to whatever state to take them, etc. So, it's not an easy process. Some docs take it three times before they get board certified.