Is my Doctor Board Certified?

When seeking medical treatment one of the most important questions you can ask would be, “Is this doctor board certified?” Knowing the answer can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare.

Every state requires specific education and licensing to practice medicine. While the American standards for practicing medicine are high, in general, doctors are legally able to perform a wide variety of medical procedures and surgeries without being board certified. Many people are more comfortable with specialized credentials when it comes to specific treatments and seek board certified doctors.

In fact, medicine has moved toward more specialized treatment in recent decades. Statistics reveal that medical complications decrease with an increase in the doctor’s specialized skill and patient volume. This is where board certification has a major impact.

State licensing recognizes the completion of a baseline medical education. This regulates consistency in teaching at medical schools around the world that train doctors for practice in the United States.

Board certification takes credentialing to the next level. These accreditations are bestowed by established organizations that recognize specialties and subspecialties. Board certification designations have stringent requirements such as supplemental education, specialized residency, supervisor endorsements, and additional examinations. They recognize a professional’s exceptional expertise in a particular area of medicine. Board certification is voluntary, but it does demonstrate a doctor’s commitment to attaining the highest levels of excellence.

The most notable website to search for accreditation is the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) which offers free, transparent, and inclusive public searches through their Certification Matters portal. This can be used to search for a doctor by name or to find specialized board certified doctors in your area.

Why are board certified doctors important?

Advances in medical technology can open the door for general practitioners to offer specialized care.

This can have risky consequences. One such recent advancement has been in the treatment of varicose veins. What required invasive surgery less than a decade ago, can now be treated through an outpatient procedure in most cases.

The potential problem lies with the experience and skill level of the doctor performing the procedure. A doctor not specialized in the field may steer patients in the direction of treatment for which they feel most comfortable. However, a board certified doctor, specializing in surgery or a vascular surgeon, is more comfortable with a wider range of medical treatment options. They are also better prepared to handle any complications which may arise. 

Patients today have more access to information than ever before. A well-informed patient usually seeks a second opinion, especially if the first opinion is not from a specialist. Every specialist is not necessarily board certified. For the best results, seek the medical opinions of board certified doctors within the specialty that you need. Consultation and treatment for varicose veins from a “board certified vascular surgeon” provides patients with the highest level of care available.

One such medical doctor is Dr. Christopher Boyes of Coastal Vein and Vascular Specialists in Palm Beach, Florida. During an extensive 10-year career he has treated thousands of patients for vascular disease. Dr. Boyes says, “I have had several vein patients that see me as a second or even a third opinion because I am a Board Certified Vascular Surgeon. It gives many patients comfort to see a vascular surgeon, even over other specialty certifications for vein disease.”

Whether in South Florida or another area, seeking the opinions of a board certified doctor is the best course of action. If you experience leg pain, lower limb heaviness, fatigue, bulging veins, or other signs of varicose veins, and are seeking a doctor in the Palm Beach area, please call 561-295-4110 to schedule a consultation.