2011 Annual Report from ABFPRS
Ira D. Papel, MD ABFPRS President The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) provides a mechanism through which surgeons who specialize in otolaryngology’s largest subspecialty can earn additional recognition for their knowledge and skills. The following report summarizes ABFPRS activity during the past 12 months. Annual Examination The ABFPRS held its annual examination June 18-19, 2011, in Washington, DC. Sixty-nine surgeons sat for the test, bringing to 1,400 the total number of examinees to date. This test was the 27th since the ABFPRS was established in 1986. The examination has two parts — the written test, which consists of 300 multiple-choice items, and the oral test, which consists of 12 protocols. This year, both the written and oral tests again earned high reliability ratings during independent analysis of exam results. The reliability rating is the degree to which test scores are consistent and dependable. The failure rate was within the acceptable range for an examination at the subspecialty level. Diplomate Profile Of the 1,400 examinees to date, 1,027 have completed all requirements for certification. (See “ABFPRS Requirements” below). Counting the 2011 class of diplomates, ABFPRS certificants reside in 47 states, six Canadian provinces, one U.S. territory and two other countries. ABFPRS diplomates focus their practices in a variety of ways. This year, 96 percent of ABFPRS diplomates report spending some practice time performing cosmetic surgery, while 82 percent perform some reconstructive surgery. They spend the balance of their practice time performing other otolaryngologic procedures, including allergy and sinus, burn surgery, cleft lip/palate and craniofacial/skull-base surgery, diving and hyperbaric medicine, drug study and research, facial dermatologic skin care, head and neck surgery, laser treatments, oral surgery, otology, rhinology, sleep apnea, and TMJ. ABFPRS diplomates also practice in a variety of settings. This year, 30 percent report spending some time in an academic practice, with the median amount of time spent being 30 percent. Also, 50 percent spend some time in a private solo practice, 26 percent in a private single-specialty group, and 10 percent in a private, multi-specialty group — with the median amount of time spent being 100 percent in each of these settings. Further, 2 percent spend a median of 100 percent of their time in other settings, ranging from the armed services and the Veterans Administration to HMOs, hospitals, and medical foundations. Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® Program On June 19, 25 more ABFPRS diplomates took the ABFPRS Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® examination to complete ABFPRS recertification requirements. This brings the total number of surgeons who have completed all ABFPRS Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® requirements to 67. Support for the ABFPRS Twenty-six state and national medical societies sponsor the ABFPRS, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. Further, the ABFPRS credential has been found to be equivalent to the primary boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties in every state that has set standards for such equivalence, so that the credential continues to be recognized in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and Canadian provinces. ABFPRS Requirements for Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® Four components necessary to complete recertification requirements: Professional Standing Prior, earned ABFPRS certificate Possession of current, earned certificate from ABOto or ABPS or RCPSC in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery or plastic surgery Possession of an unrestricted U.S. or Canadian medical license Acceptable responses to questionnaire regarding past or pending adverse action Satisfactory status with the FSMB and NPDB Documentation of privileges to practice facial plastic surgery in an accredited institution or facility Compliance with the ABFPRS Code of Ethics Continuing Medical Education Documentation of 50 hours of CME credits every two years Cognitive Expertise Candidates must achieve a passing score on a one-day examination and may choose from three exam modules: -100 percent cosmetic surgery -100 percent reconstructive surgery or -50 percent cosmetic and 50 percent reconstructive Practice Performance Submission of a 12-month sequential operative log of eligible procedures performed during the year preceding submission of the application, with a minimum of 50 procedures Operative reports for the last 35 consecutive cases on the operative log Applications for the June 2012 examination are available online only at www.abfprs.org or contact the ABFPRS office, 115C S. Saint Asaph St., Alexandria, VA 22314; call 1-703-549-3223; fax 1-703-549-3357; email information@abfprs.org.
Ira D. Papel, MD ABFPRS President
The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) provides a mechanism through which surgeons who specialize in otolaryngology’s largest subspecialty can earn additional recognition for their knowledge and skills. The following report summarizes ABFPRS activity during the past 12 months.
Annual Examination
The ABFPRS held its annual examination June 18-19, 2011, in Washington, DC. Sixty-nine surgeons sat for the test, bringing to 1,400 the total number of examinees to date. This test was the 27th since the ABFPRS was established in 1986.
The examination has two parts — the written test, which consists of 300 multiple-choice items, and the oral test, which consists of 12 protocols.
This year, both the written and oral tests again earned high reliability ratings during independent analysis of exam results. The reliability rating is the degree to which test scores are consistent and dependable. The failure rate was within the acceptable range for an examination at the subspecialty level.
Diplomate Profile
Of the 1,400 examinees to date, 1,027 have completed all requirements for certification. (See “ABFPRS Requirements” below). Counting the 2011 class of diplomates, ABFPRS certificants reside in 47 states, six Canadian provinces, one U.S. territory and two other countries.
ABFPRS diplomates focus their practices in a variety of ways. This year, 96 percent of ABFPRS diplomates report spending some practice time performing cosmetic surgery, while 82 percent perform some reconstructive surgery. They spend the balance of their practice time performing other otolaryngologic procedures, including allergy and sinus, burn surgery, cleft lip/palate and craniofacial/skull-base surgery, diving and hyperbaric medicine, drug study and research, facial dermatologic skin care, head and neck surgery, laser treatments, oral surgery, otology, rhinology, sleep apnea, and TMJ.
ABFPRS diplomates also practice in a variety of settings. This year, 30 percent report spending some time in an academic practice, with the median amount of time spent being 30 percent. Also, 50 percent spend some time in a private solo practice, 26 percent in a private single-specialty group, and 10 percent in a private, multi-specialty group — with the median amount of time spent being 100 percent in each of these settings. Further, 2 percent spend a median of 100 percent of their time in other settings, ranging from the armed services and the Veterans Administration to HMOs, hospitals, and medical foundations.
Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® Program
On June 19, 25 more ABFPRS diplomates took the ABFPRS Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® examination to complete ABFPRS recertification requirements. This brings the total number of surgeons who have completed all ABFPRS Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® requirements to 67.
Support for the ABFPRS
Twenty-six state and national medical societies sponsor the ABFPRS, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. Further, the ABFPRS credential has been found to be equivalent to the primary boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties in every state that has set standards for such equivalence, so that the credential continues to be recognized in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and Canadian provinces.
ABFPRS Requirements for Maintenance of Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®
Four components necessary to complete recertification requirements:
Professional Standing
- Prior, earned ABFPRS certificate
- Possession of current, earned certificate from ABOto or ABPS or RCPSC in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery or plastic surgery
- Possession of an unrestricted U.S. or Canadian medical license
- Acceptable responses to questionnaire regarding past or pending adverse action
- Satisfactory status with the FSMB and NPDB
- Documentation of privileges to practice facial plastic surgery in an accredited institution or facility
- Compliance with the ABFPRS Code of Ethics
Continuing Medical Education
- Documentation of 50 hours of CME credits every two years
Cognitive Expertise
- Candidates must achieve a passing score on a one-day examination and may choose from three exam modules:
- -100 percent cosmetic surgery
- -100 percent reconstructive surgery or
- -50 percent cosmetic and 50 percent reconstructive
Practice Performance
- Submission of a 12-month sequential operative log of eligible procedures performed during the year preceding submission of the application, with a minimum of 50 procedures
- Operative reports for the last 35 consecutive cases on the operative log
Applications for the June 2012 examination are available online only at www.abfprs.org or contact the ABFPRS office, 115C S. Saint Asaph St., Alexandria, VA 22314; call 1-703-549-3223; fax 1-703-549-3357; email information@abfprs.org.