AAEM Non-Discrimination Position Statement on Practice Track vs. Residency Trained EM Physicians

AAEM asserts that board certification through ABEM or AOBEM is recognized as the standard that establishes competence in the diagnosis and management of conditions in Emergency Medicine.

The restriction of employment or access to fellowship training programs for board-certified emergency physicians based upon a requirement of prior Emergency Medicine residency training is improper. AAEM asserts that equality of status between residency trained and practice track physicians is established by board certification, and equity of both educational and professional opportunities should follow.

This is to recognize the fact that there is a period of time in the early formation of every specialty where no formal residencies exist, and that it was therefore appropriate to create a time-limited practice track for the founders of the specialty to become board certified. Currently and for the future, in the interest of patient welfare, accredited Emergency Medicine residency training is the only acceptable pathway to ABEM/AOBEM certification.

Published: 2/22/01