SHM retracts message about ABHM certification

The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) recently posted a retraction of its Jan. 14th message to SHM members about the controversial  first-ever board certification for hospitalists.

On Jan. 12, the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) announced the American Board of Hospital Medicine (ABHM), the first certifying board offered exclusively for inpatient specialties. On Jan. 14, SHM’s President, Pat Cawley, stated the organization had no ties with ABHM and cautioned against this board certification.

In this recent “revised message,” SHM noted its original Jan. 14 statement misattributed the ABHM to the American Association of Physician Specialists, when, in fact, the ABHM is part of the ABPS.

“The Society of Hospital Medicine had not yet had an opportunity to review the criteria and requirements established for accreditation by the American Board of Hospital Medicine when the comments contained in our message dated January 14, 2009 were made,” the statement explains. “Consequently, the Society of Hospital Medicine hereby retracts that message in its entirety.”

You can read the latest news on HospitalistLeadership.com blog about board certification. Join in the discussion, and comment on the blog.