Benefits of American Board of Optometry Certification
Board certification is a significant milestone in continuing professional development. Health care organizations, employers, credentialing agencies, third party payers, the government and the public recognize ABO Board Certification as an important quality marker.
The practice and scope of optometry continues to evolve. New studies, advancing technology, enhanced practice guidelines and changing patient needs ensure that the way you practice today will not be the way you practice tomorrow. Board certification plays a vital role in making sure health care professionals are continually expanding their clinical knowledge, acquiring new skills and adapting to the changing healthcare environment.
Earning Diplomate status in the American Board of Optometry benefits the optometrist, the profession and the public. Embracing the challenge and committing to lifelong learning through board certification is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor.
Path to Continuous Learning
Board Certification and Maintenance of Certification provide a structured path for continuous learning. With focused topics, feedback for self-directed study and frequent assessment opportunities, doctors can be confident that they are keeping up with the latest advancements and clinical practice guidelines available.
Career Advancement
While Board Certification is a voluntary process, many organizations recognize the value of the credential. Whether you are in a large medical practice, employed by a health care organization, a faculty member, a military service member or seeking hospital privileges, board certification can be the qualification you need to take that next step for promotion and recognition. Certain employers may require it, some may simply encourage it and others may use it for fulfillment of career advancement requirements.
Better Patient Care
Studying for the initial Board Certification exam is an opportunity for comprehensive review of optometric knowledge and skills. Many candidates shared that this review reinforced and reinvigorated their existing knowledge and sparked interest in potential new practice growth areas.
ABO’s maintenance of certification program brings to your attention landmark studies, new clinically-relevant research, and the latest clinical practice guidelines, allowing you to more easily keep up with changes in the profession. Periodic assessments and self-assessment modules enable optometrists to bring their knowledge and skills up-to-date while reinforcing their understanding and maximizing use of their limited and precious time.
Contribution to the Profession
Board Certification helps to advance optometry as a profession by demonstrating our merit for recognition and inclusion in the health care system and policy decision making. Board certification offers the optometry profession and third-party payers the objective assurance that an optometrist is maintaining a measurable level of competence by a recognized, accredited program.
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By going through the voluntary process of becoming board certified, our Diplomates demonstrate competence beyond entry level.
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