Is Your Physician Qualified to Treat You?

When we have a concern about our health, we often decide to see a physician. However, the process of choosing a physician can definitely be overwhelming. It’s hard enough just to find a provider who even has availability when you need help. Getting an appointment quickly is often itself a challenge. We assume the physician will be knowledgeable and qualified. We assume they are practicing within the boundaries of the field in which they were trained and certified. But do we really think about it? Who has time to research and investigate a health care professional’s qualifications?

Many people start with their primary care doctor, whom they know and trust for treatment and guidance. A good number of us, though, do not have a family physician, so we do a Google search, or rely on word of mouth or advertising. Whatever method we employ to find a health care provider, we usually take it for granted that the person will know what they are talking about, and will know what they are doing with respect to diagnosing and treating our problem.

Regarding physicians, is he or she actually Board Certified? What does “Board Certified” even mean?
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredits residency programs. Four years of medical school bestows the M.D. degree, after which acceptance into an accredited residency is necessary to obtain intensive, in-depth, on-the-job training within a specific branch of medicine. Residency programs last up to seven years. Thus, specialists train for up to 11 years after university.

For physicians, Board Certified means:

• Completed specialized training in an accredited residency program.
• Passed comprehensive exams demonstrating knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to treat patients.
• Made a commitment to stay current on advances by participating in ongoing certification activities and assessments throughout their careers.

Ideally, we all would like to feel confident that our provider meets nationally recognized standards for education, knowledge, experience and has advanced skills to provide high-quality care. In other words, we want to know if they are Board Certified. And that’s why certification exists.

You might be disturbed to know that board certification is not required in order to hang a shingle claiming specialization in a field of medicine, a loophole exploited by a few unethical, unqualified providers. Deceiving the public has become routine practice in the world today, but when it comes to the practice of medicine, it’s unconscionable. When you need help, who would you choose a fake specialist or a real specialist? The Hippocratic Oath describes how physicians are expected to uphold professional ethical standards. One who intentionally misleads a patient by implying they are a certified specialist when they are not, is a fraud.

But how do we verify a health care provider’s credentials? How do we avoid being treated by someone who masquerades as an expert? Thankfully, the vast majority of health care professionals practice honestly after receiving legitimate training. Furthermore, the vast majority of the general public does care about the qualifications of their health care providers. Board certification can be verified easily. In seconds, anyone can verify a doctor’s certification using websites such as https://www.certificationmatters.org, https://findado.osteopathic.org, or just search “American Board of (insert medical specialty).” You can also call the doctor’s office and ask where they did their residency.

Bottom line: When you’re spending your hard-earned money and scarce time to see a medical provider, especially a specialist, do your homework. Misdiagnoses and unnecessary, unsafe treatments by self-proclaimed experts can wreak havoc on your body and pocketbook. Take a few minutes to find out if they have residency training in the field, and verify their board certification. Your good health depends on it! FBN

By Scott Dale, M.D.

Scott Dale, M.D., received his doctorate in 1998 from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Dale completed dermatology residency at The University of Chicago Hospitals. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology, a member of the American Society for Mohs Surgery and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and a fellow in the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Dale has been practicing medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, including Mohs Micrographic Surgery, at Northern Arizona Dermatology Center (www.nazderm.com) since graduating from the University of Chicago in 2002.

Northern Arizona Dermatology Center, PC 1490 N Turquoise Dr. Flagstaff, AZ  86001

928-774-5074  ext 239