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ABIM Recognizes Geriatrics as a Subspecialty of Internal Medicine

Elevating the status of geriatric medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in July recognized geriatrics, and other fields it formerly recognized with Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQs), as Subspecialties of Internal Medicine.

"This change places geriatrics at the same level as all other subspecialties of internal medicine," said AGS Board of Directors Chair David Reuben, MD. "It is a great step forward for the field and will help convey the value of geriatrics to consumers and professional groups."

As a result of the change, geriatricians with backgrounds in internal medicine (IM) are no longer required to maintain underlying certification in internal medicine. ABIM, however, encourages diplomates to maintain their certification in IM or other subspecialties. All other maintenance of certification requirements for geriatrics will stay the same. For more information, visit http://www.abim.org/certification/policies.aspx.

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) continues to recognize geriatrics with a CAQ, however. Consequently, geriatricians with backgrounds in family medicine (FM) will still need to maintain their underlying certification in FM. Other requirements for ABFM's CAQ are the same as those for ABIM's new geriatrics subspecialty certification.

In addition to recognizing geriatrics as a new subspecialty of Internal Medicine, the ABIM also recognized the following fields as IM subspecialties: Adolescent Medicine, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Critical Care Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, Sleep Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Transplant Hepatology.