Credentialing & Qualifications

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) strongly believes that every patient seeking emergency medical services should be cared for by a board-certified emergency medicine physician; and as such, believes all emergency medicine residents must be adequately prepared to become board certified in our specialty.  ACGME has recently proposed several changes for emergency medicine training programs […]

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has recently announced an accreditation program to recognize emergency departments (EDs) that adhere to independently developed standards, with applications opening soon. While establishing an ED accreditation program is commendable, its dual goal must be to enhance patient care and advocate for emergency physicians (EPs). Without thorough planning and […]

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) recently released a public statement in response to an announcement that a nurse practitioner was accepted into an Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Fellowship program.  We were specifically responding to the original statement by the program which when released stated, “his appointment as the ‘first-ever’ APRN to the Point-of-Care Ultrasound […]

AAEM endorses the following points regarding inquiries about diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in connection with professional licensing and credentialing: AAEM believes that state licensing boards and credentialing organizations should require physicians to disclose mental disorders only when the disorder currently impairs their judgment or ability to practice. AAEM believes that state licensing boards […]

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) define the standards for the specialty of Emergency Medicine. Certification by ABEM or AOBEM obviates any additional certifications required for medical staff privileges or disease-specific care center designations, such as that needed for trauma or stroke centers. Major Emergency […]

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine believes that ABEM/AOBEM certified emergency physicians who complete an ACGME certified critical care fellowship should be allowed to take an American board examination in critical care medicine. We urge ABMS to strongly consider opening the exam for such emergency physicians.   Approved: 12/9/02  

Physicians who have successfully completed an accredited Emergency Medicine residency or are ABEM/AOBEM certified possess the knowledge and skills required to provide quality emergency medical care to children of all ages for a wide variety of illnesses, injuries or poisonings. To provide quality care, the emergency physician must have all necessary age-appropriate medical equipment readily […]

Whereas higher care quality, improved patient safety, and decreased medical legal risk can be directly linked to qualified Emergency Medicine specialists; and Whereas emergency physicians should be involved in the process by which they are credentialed; and Whereas AAEM has become the lead organization in promoting the practice of Emergency Medicine only by qualified practitioners; […]

AAEM recognizes the value of the ACLS curriculum for non-EM boarded physicians and other health care providers who need to be familiar with the principles of acute cardiac care. However, AAEM believes that board certification in Emergency Medicine establishes expertise in acute cardiac life support beyond what which is taught in the ACLS course. Therefore, […]

AAEM recognizes the value of the ATLS curriculum for non-EM boarded physicians and other health care providers who need to be familiar with the principles of trauma care. However, AAEM believes that board certification in Emergency Medicine establishes expertise in trauma care beyond that which is taught in the ATLS course. Therefore, ATLS should not […]