CHEST Guidelines-Rebuttal-From-Drs-Lee-and-Lerner_2017

Rebuttal-From-Drs-Lee-and-Lerner_2017_chest

Pdf Summary

Drs. Hans J. Lee and Andrew D. Lerner provide a rebuttal supporting the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) as the governing body for certifying Interventional Pulmonology (IP) specialists. They acknowledge the subspecialty's unique training requirements but differ from Drs. Desai and Kovitz by arguing that the ABIM, rather than specialty societies like the American Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP), should certify IP practitioners.<br /><br />Lee and Lerner highlight the historical reasons behind the formation of the ABIM—primarily to prevent potential conflicts of interest that could arise if specialty societies, which serve the interests of their dues-paying members, were responsible for certification. The ABIM's single focus on certification, recognized by nearly all state medical boards, ensures standardized practice and patient safety, a priority Lee and Lerner argue should outweigh the convenience for physicians.<br /><br />The authors also emphasize that while the ABIM is not without flaws, it remains the leading certifying body for most internal medicine subspecialties due to its extensive experience in setting professional standards. They argue that specialty societies like the AABIP, though important for advancing IP training and research, should not divert resources to certification, which the ABIM is better equipped to handle.<br /><br />Moreover, they address concerns about the costs and bureaucracy of ABIM certifications, noting that specialty societies also impose similar exams, certification limits, and costs. The authors conclude by encouraging IP practitioners to seek ABIM certification, which they see as critical for maintaining the field's integrity and serving the public interest.

Keywords

Interventional Pulmonology

ABIM

certification

specialty societies

AABIP

patient safety

professional standards

medical boards

IP practitioners

public interest