Is every plastic surgeon board certified? Board certification varies by surgeon and is in no way completely indicative of an excellent surgeon. "Every surgeon is not board certified," said Charles M. Boyd...
"Every surgeon is not board certified," said Charles M. Boyd M.D., M.B.A., and F.A.C.S. He has been a plastic surgeon for more than 13 years. It is actually not a requirement for a surgeon to be board certified in order to perform plastic surgery.
"What does it mean to be board certified? I think that when a patient is choosing a surgeon, for the surgeon to be board certified is an additional qualification that has been met. I think that when patients are looking at a surgeon and they know that the surgeon is board certified they know that they've passed at least a minimum standard in terms of written and oral exams as well as a minimum number of cases. I think that there is some added comfort in making sure that your surgeon is board certified," Boyd said.
As a potential patient you are going to know the surgeon has gone to lengths to pass testing and prove that they have are apt within their field of practice.
The boards were developed in order to refine the profession and to protect the public. The various boards do this by doing several different things. First they set standards for the profession. They then test and screen those in the field to certify their ability. They also advance the profession with testing and with training opportunities.
"There are several boards. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is one board. I am a member of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and there is a board of Plastic or General Plastic Surgery," said Boyd. "What that means is that through the eyes of American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery every one of our members has passed a written as well as an oral test and that they have done some additional training beyond their basic residency and training. It also means that we have to submit a certain number of cosmetic and reconstructive cases and then you become board certified."
However, one should not completely focus on board certification when searching for a plastic surgeon. "It's important to realize that board certification doesn't mean that the person is an excellent surgeon. I think, like everything else, experience and technique make a big difference," Boyd said.
When deciding on a plastic surgeon it is important to look at their full resume rather than focus on their board certification. It is nice to know that a surgeon has developed his abilities and adhered to a board and perhaps you should make that a minimum requirement. Nevertheless, dig further in and see what they have accomplished. How long have they been a plastic surgeon? What have they accomplished in the field? Does the surgeon come recommended from another doctor or someone you know?
A great resource for finding doctors can be online. The boards listed above are represented online. You can also look at a roster of their diplomates or certified surgeons. Another great resource concerning plastic surgery is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It is full of great information and also has a tool to find board certified surgeons in your area.
