Overview
Surgeons may enter the ABS certification process following successful completion of an ACGME- or RCPSC- accredited general surgery residency program.
Intro
Specialty of general surgery defined
General surgery is a discipline that requires knowledge of and responsibility for the preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of patients with a broad spectrum of diseases, including those which may require nonoperative, elective, or emergency surgical treatment. The breadth and depth of this knowledge may vary by disease category. Surgical management requires skill in complex decision making; general surgeons should be competent in diagnosis as well as treatment and management, including operative intervention.
- Alimentary Tract
- Abdomen and its Contents
- Breast, Skin and Soft Tissue
- Endocrine System
- Surgical Critical Care
- Surgical Oncology
- Trauma
- Related disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, epidemiology, immunology, and pathology (including neoplasia).
- Clinical care domains, including wound healing; infection and antibiotic usage; fluid and electrolyte management; transfusion and disorders of coagulation; shock and resuscitation; metabolism and nutrition; minimally invasive and endoscopic intervention (including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy); appropriate use and interpretation of radiologic diagnostic and therapeutic imaging; and pain management.
- Terminally ill patients, to include palliative care and pain management; nutritional deficiency; cachexia in patients with malignant and chronic conditions; and counseling and support for end-of-life decisions and care.
- Morbidly obese patients, to include metabolic derangements; surgical and non-surgical interventions for weight loss (bariatrics); and counseling of patient and families.
- Geriatric surgical patients, to include management of comorbid chronic diseases.
- Culturally diverse and vulnerable patient populations.
In some circumstances, the certified general surgeon provides care in the disease areas of vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, thoracic surgery, burns, and solid organ transplantation. However, comprehensive knowledge and management of conditions in these areas generally requires additional training.
In unusual circumstances, the certified general surgeon may provide care for patients with problems in adjacent fields such as obstetrics and gynecology, urology, and hand surgery.
Certification Requirements
Surgeons must meet specific requirements before they are deemed certified by the ABS
To become considered certified by the ABS, a general surgeon must first meet the training requirements and related criteria in order to enter the initial certification examination process.
Booklet of Information
All current policies, procedures and relevant information related to certification in general surgery.
The ABS Booklet of Information for General Surgery is published annually to outline the requirements for board certification in general surgery. Potential applicants are encouraged to review it.
Focused Practice Designation
Recognizes diplomates who have focused their practice on one particular aspect of a given field of surgery
Focused Practice Designation (FPD) is a new designation of ABMS member boards that can be used to recognize diplomates of the ABS who have focused their clinical practice in areas outside of standard ACGME-recognized specialties. These practice areas must meet certain standards of the ABS and ABMS that may be revised from time to time.
Osteopathic / D.O. Pathway
Osteopathic trainees are required to meet all ABS requirements for certification in effect at the time of application
Residents in enrolled in an osteopathic surgical training program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Medical Education (ACGME) may enter the ABS certification process.
The ABS requires that graduates of training programs in pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, and complex general surgery oncology first be certified by the ABS in general surgery to be eligible for certification in these specialties. Residents in osteopathic surgical training programs that become accredited by the ACGME will be required to meet ABS requirements for certification in general surgery as outlined and achieve certification in general surgery prior to pursuing certification in these other specialties.
Policies
Policies related to initial certification in general surgery
Candidates will be expected to be aware of and abide by all policies related to initial certification in general surgery throughout the certification process.