American Board of Medical Specialties Makes Clinical Informatics a BoardCertified Medical Subspecialty

After years of preparation by organizations including the American Medical Informatics Association, in September 2011, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) voted to make Clinical Informatics a board-certified subspecialty. Although the new subspecialty was sponsored by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, the certification examination will be available to any physician currently certified by any ABMS board. For the first five years (the "grandfathering" period), only current board certification and interest/experience in clinical informatics will be required for physicians to sit for the exam. After that time, a fellowship incorporating prescribed training modules and standards will be required for physicians to take the exam. The core competencies required for Clinical Informatics certification and the suggested curriculum for training programs have already been published.(1-3) The ABMS plans to hold the first examination in the latter half of 2012. The American Medical Informatics Association will hold courses to prepare physicians for the new board exam. The growing importance of "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs) in hospitals and physician practices elevates the importance of this new subspecialty. References 1. Gardner RM, Overhage JM, Steen EB, et al. Core content for the subspecialty of clinical informatics. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2009;16:153-157. 2. Safran C, Shabot MM, Munger BS, et al. Program requirements for fellowship education in the subspecialty of clinical informatics. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2009;16:158-166. 3. Detmer DE, Lumpkin JR, Williamson JJ. Defining the medical subspecialty of clinical informatics. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2009;16:167-168.