Through their training Dermatologists have learned the structure of ALL cells in the body not just the skin. They are also trained in the pathology of these cells. Because of the diversity and level of this training Dermatology candidates are generally the top students in their class. This is followed by one of the broadest and most rigorous residency training programs in medicine.
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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST?
All medical doctors must be licensed in the state in which they practice medicine. This does not mean however, that the physician is certified.
Board certification is a voluntary process that involves rigorous testing and peer evaluation that is designed and administered by specialists in a specific area of medicine.
Certification is widely recognized by physicians, healthcare institutions, insurers and patients themselves as an essential tool to judge that a physician has the knowledge, experience and skills for providing quality healthcare within a given specialty.
There are only 24 recognized medical boards (view list). They are the member boards of The American Board of Medical Specialties. Learn more about what it means to be board certified.
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WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME BOARD CERTIFIED?
To become a physician involves many years of study, examination, and peer review. To become a board certified physician involves additional review and testing to demonstrate the highest level of proficiency in a specific medical specialty. General requirements include:
Four year Bachelors degree
Four years of medical school
1 year post graduate clinical training
3 years (minimum) full time residency training
License to practice medicine
Training review by medical specialty board
Board certification exam
For the complete list of requirements visit: The American Board of Dermatology website.
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Due to the proliferation of spas, salons and walk-in clinics offering cosmetic procedures performed by non-physicians, The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) has noted a significant increase in patient complications. Here are just a few cases from the ASDS files.
In response to this alarming national trend, ASDS has launched a campaign warning consumers that cosmetic treatments, such as those using lasers, high-tech light devices, chemical peels, soft tissue fillers, botulinum toxin and microdermabrasion techniques, are medical/surgical procedures that should be performed by a fully qualified physician or under the direct supervision of the physician.
This trend is being complicated by slick marketing and misleading terminology, confusing patients to the point that misinformation is being accepted as truth. For example there is no medical "Board Certification" for "Cosmetic Surgery". This problem has become so prevalent that the term "dermatology imposters" is being used to describe this type of care.
It is now more important than ever that patients thoroughly research any medical professionals credentials and all medical procedures to protect themselves from injury. when are considering to perform those procedures and understand that only highly trained and properly certified medical personnel should perform procedures.
As always Alpha-Derm will continue to provide the highest level of medical care available. We will always work to continuously update our knowledge and expertise to be your source for the latest technology, procedures, and information.
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DECEPTIVE PRACTICES YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF.
It is your Board Certified physicians' responsibility and passion, to continually update their knowledge, expertise and equipment in order to be your source for the latest in technology, procedures, and information. Board Certification is the gold standard and there are businesses that try to create the perception of having this gold standard. Here are some of the more common deceptive practices:
Every physician is not necessarily Board Certified
Frequently only one Dermatologist in a practice of several physicians will be Board Certified, the others are not.
Some physicians who are not Board Certified will say they are or even have fake documents saying they are Board Certified.
They will say they have traveled the world to learn these techniques however, they may not have the level of training required to be Board Certified and in fact are not Board Certified.
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HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF A PHYSICIAN IS BOARD CERTIFIED?
Physicians can only be Board Certified by their respective board. The American Board of Medical Specialties maintains the complete database for all specialties and is freely searchable to anyone wishing to verify certification. To check your physician go to:
The American Board of Medical Specialties website.
About Your Dermatologist
