Health Scene Magazine

What does it mean to be board-certified?

As you turn the pages of Health Scene or browse the physician listings on our website, you’ll probably notice prominent references to each doctor’s board-certification status. You may wonder exactly what this means and how it affects the care you should expect to receive from them.

In a 2018 poll conducted by the American Board of Medical Specialties, 82% of those surveyed listed board- certification status as their most important consideration when choosing a doctor.

Board certification is a voluntary process that many physicians choose to embark upon after receiving their medical degree, working through their internships, residencies and fellowships, and receiving their state licensure. It’s the clearest indication of a physician’s skill, knowledge and expertise in their chosen field of medicine.

To earn board-certification status, a physician must pass rigorous oral and/or written exams that are presented by a certifying board related to their specialty. This status requires repeated reassessment throughout their medical careers.

The world of medicine is constantly evolving, regardless of specialty. A board certification assures patients that their doctor is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest research and treatment protocols. A doctor’s journey of discovery doesn’t end when they receive their medical degree—it continues to flourish for as long as they practice medicine. Patients are the most important benefactors of this growth and development.

The next time you search for a physician who can fulfill your healthcare needs, you should consider their reliability, level of training and commitment to excellence. A board certification reflects all of this and more.

For more information on our team of more than 350 board-certified physicians and highly qualified medical providers, visit our website at WatsonClinic.com/Physician-Search.

Yours in good health,

William J. Roth, MD, PhD
Watson Clinic Managing Partner