Pediatricians Lack Certification, Training: Recent Study
A recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics has found that some metro area pediatricians may lack certification by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). Though the study looked at eight states in different geographic areas of the nation, the highest incidence of non-certified practitioners was found to be in Maryland, where nearly 17% of pediatricians claim a professional title inconsistent with records at the ABP. Nationwide, the average percentage of self-titled pediatric practitioners not matched with board records was found to be 11%.
The study, conducted by the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the University of Michigan, highlights a problematic situation in which many states allow physicians to claim a specialty area, but never verify the credential. Certification is important, according to researchers, because it reflects a physician’s expertise, and because actively maintaining the credential keeps practitioners informed of the latest trends and developments in their field of specialization.
Parents or other interested parties can always verify the certification of any pediatrician via a "Verification of Certification" tool on the homepage of the ABP website.