American board of preventive medicine addiction medicine

American board of preventive medicine addiction medicine

111 West Jackson, Suite 1340
Chicago, IL 60604

Phone: (312) 939-2276 www.theabpm.org


Preventive Medicine

A specialist in Preventive Medicine focuses on the health of individuals and defined populations in order to protect, promote and maintain health and well-being, and to prevent disease, disability and premature death. They may be a specialist in Aerospace Medicine, Occupational Medicine, or Public Health & General Preventive Medicine. The distinctive components of Preventive Medicine include:

  • Biostatistics and the application of biostatistical principles and methodology;
  • Epidemiology and its application to population-based medicine and research;
  • Health services management and administration including: developing, assessing, and assuring health policies; planning, implementing, directing, budgeting and evaluating population health and disease management programs; and utilizing legislative and regulatory processes to enhance health;
  • Control of environmental factors that may adversely affect health;
  • Control and prevention of occupational factors that may adversely affect health safety;
  • Clinical preventive medicine activities, including measures to promote health and prevent the occurrence, progression and disabling effects of disease and injury; and
  • Assessment of social, cultural and behavioral influences on health.

Training required prior to initial board certification

Four (4) years

Board eligible period (+practice requirement)

Seven (7) years

Subspecialties

Certification in one of the following subspecialties requires additional training and assessment as specified by the board.

Addiction Medicine

A preventive medicine physician who specializes in Addition Medicine is concerned with the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of persons with the disease of addiction, of those with substance-related health conditions, and of people who show unhealthy use of substances including nicotine, alcohol, prescription medications and other licit and illicit drugs. Physicians specializing in this field also help family members whose health and functioning are affected by a loved one’s substance use or addiction.

Clinical Informatics

Physicians who practice Clinical Informatics collaborate with other health care and information technology professionals to analyze, design, implement and evaluate information and communication systems that enhance individual and population health outcomes, improve patient care and strengthen the clinician–patient relationship. Clinical informaticians use their knowledge of patient care combined with their understanding of informatics concepts, methods and tools to: assess information and knowledge needs of health care professionals and patients; characterize, evaluate and refine clinical processes; develop, implement procurement, customization, development, implementation, management, evaluation and continuous improvement of clinical information systems.

Medical Toxicology

Medical toxicologists are physicians who specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment and monitoring of injury and illness from exposures to drugs and chemicals, as well as biological and radiological agents. These specialists care for people in clinical, academic, governmental and public health settings, and provide poison control center leadership. Important areas of Medical Toxicology include acute drug poisoning; adverse drug events; drug abuse, addiction and withdrawal; chemicals and hazardous materials; terrorism preparedness; venomous bites and stings; and environmental and workplace exposures.

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine

A preventive medicine physician who specializes in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine treats decompression illness and diving accident cases and uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat such conditions as carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, non-healing wounds, tissue damage from radiation and burns and bone infections. This specialist also serves as consultant to other physicians in all aspects of hyperbaric chamber operations, and assesses risks and applies appropriate standards to prevent disease and disability in divers and other persons working in altered atmospheric conditions.

Lifelong learning requirements

  • Complete 25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ annually
  • Complete a patient safety module once every 10 years

In October 2015, the American Board of Medical Specialties formally recognized addiction medicine as a multi-specialty subspecialty under the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM). In July 2019, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates approved the development of a clinical practice pathway to facilitate subspecialty board certification in addiction medicine. Certification examinations in addiction medicine are now administered by ABPM and AOA.

Pathways to Achieve Addiction Medicine Certification

There are different pathways to become certified in addiction medicine depending upon your primary board or experience.

ABPM

Practice Pathway – Until 2025, applicants who complete minimum time in practice or a non-ACGME-accredited fellowship training will be considered for the addiction medicine subspecialty exam. Current ABMS board certification is required.

ACGME-Accredited Fellowship Pathway – After 2025, it will be mandatory that physicians complete an ACGME-accredited addiction medicine fellowship to be eligible to apply to take the exam. Current ABMS board certification is also required.

To be eligible to take the ABPM subspecialty certification examinations, AOA-board certified and Canadian-board (RCPSC or CFPC)-certified physicians must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited fellowship in addiction medicine, as well as meet all other current ABPM requirements.

Learn More – ABPM Exam

AOA

Clinical Practice Pathway – Until 2023, applicants who complete minimum time in practice, have completed a non-ACGME/AOA-accredited fellowship, or currently hold an active American Board of Addiction Medicine will be considered for the addiction medicine subspecialty exam. In addition, candidates must hold an active primary certification in an AOA or ABMS specialty.

AOA or ACGME Fellowship Pathway – After 2023, it will be mandatory that physicians complete an AOA- or ACGME-accredited addiction medicine fellowship in order to be eligible to apply to take the exam. Candidates must hold an active primary certification in an AOA or ABMS specialty.

Learn More – AOA Exam

How to Prepare

We offer self-study resources to prepare for the addiction medicine certification examination including the Addiction e-Practice Test (ADePT), Question Bank, and Didactic Series Recordings. 

Learn More – Self-Study Resources

Continuing Board Certification

Once certification is obtained, it must be maintained in and in some cases require reexamination. You must follow the guidelines of your primary certifying board, as well as either ABPM or AOA to maintain your certification in addiction medicine.

ACAAM Can Help

The ACAAM Addiction Medicine Education Portal offers an unmatched value with 200 CME credits included and access to additional educational activities. The ACAAM Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) offer a comprehensive collection of relevant, evidence-based content, and can be used as a tool to test your knowledge and skills taking the necessary steps toward meeting various CME and self-assessment requirements.

About the Subspecialty

  • What is an Addiction Medicine Physician?
  • Addiction Medicine Fellowships

American Board of Addiction Medicine

Founded in 2007, the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) was the nation's first medical specialty board that certified addiction medicine physicians across a range of medical specialties. The board set standards for physician education, assesses physicians' knowledge, and requires and tracks life-long education. Certification examinations in addiction medicine are now administered by ABPM and AOA. ABAM will remain a resource for its Diplomates and the public through the end of the ABPM Practice Pathway, currently scheduled to conclude in 2025. 

What is the American Board of Addiction Medicine?

The American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) provides assurance to the American public that addiction medicine physicians have the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and treat addiction.

What is the passing score for Abpm?

Both electronic and paper versions of the exam include 100 multiple-choice questions, and have a time limit of two hours. Passing Score: 60 or higher.

How many questions are on the addiction medicine boards?

In addition, you will have access to a 250 question pre- and post-test Addiction Medicine Exam to help you target learning and identify areas that need further study. Analytics and reports allow you to compare your scores to other students.

Is Addiction Medicine Fellowship competitive?

Traditional addiction medicine fellowship slots may go unfilled, although competitiveness varies by program. DAHRS and NCSP are small programs that usually have a very competitive application pool.