Obesity medicine as a subspecialty and United States certification - A review

Angela Fitch; Deborah B Horn; Christopher D Still; Lydia C Alexander; Sandra Christensen; Nicholas Pennings; Harold Edward Bays

doi:10.1016/j.obpill.2023.100062

Obesity medicine as a subspecialty and United States certification - A review

Obes Pillars. 2023 Apr 12:6:100062. doi: 10.1016/j.obpill.2023.100062. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Angela Fitch¹, Deborah B Horn², Christopher D Still³, Lydia C Alexander⁴, Sandra Christensen⁵, Nicholas Pennings⁶, Harold Edward Bays⁷

Affiliations

¹ Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Knownwell, 15 Oak St Suite 3, Needham, MA, 02492, USA.
² Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, UT Center for Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, 6348 Sewanee Ave, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
³ Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Center for Nutrition & Weight Management, Geisinger Obesity Institute, Geisinger Health System, 100 North Academy Avenue, MC 21-11, USA.
⁴ Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Enara Health, 3050 S. Delaware Street, Suite 130, San Mateo, CA, 94403, USA.
⁵ Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine, Integrative Medical Weight Management, 2611 NE 125th St, Suite 100B, Seattle, WA, 98125, USA.
⁶ Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, 4350 US Hwy 421 S, Lillington, NC, 27546, USA.
⁷ Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 3288 Illinois Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40213, USA.

Abstract

Background: Certification of obesity medicine for physicians in the United States occurs mainly via the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). Obesity medicine is not recognized as a subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This review examines the value of specialization, status of current ABOM Diplomates, governing bodies involved in ABMS/AOA Board Certification, and the advantages and disadvantages of an ABMS/AOA recognized obesity medicine subspecialty.

Methods: Data for this review were derived from PubMed and appliable websites. Content was driven by the expertise, insights, and perspectives of the authors.

Results: The existing ABOM obesity medicine certification process has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of Obesity Medicine Diplomates. If ABMS/AOA were to recognize obesity medicine as a subspecialty under an existing ABMS Member Board, then Obesity Medicine would achieve a status like other ABMS recognized subspecialities. However, the transition of ABOM Diplomates to ABMS recognized subspecialists may affect the kinds and the number of physicians having an acknowledged focus on obesity medicine care. Among transition issues to consider include: (1) How many ABMS Member Boards would oversee Obesity Medicine as a subspecialty and which physicians would be eligible? (2) Would current ABOM Diplomates be required to complete an Obesity Medicine Fellowship? If not, then what would be the process for a current ABOM Diplomate to transition to an ABMS-recognized Obesity Medicine subspecialist (i.e., "grandfathering criteria")? and (3) According to the ABMS, do enough Obesity Medicine Fellowship programs exist to recognize Obesity Medicine as a subspecialty?

Conclusions: Decisions regarding a transition to an ABMS recognized Obesity Medicine Subspecialty versus retention of the current ABOM Diplomate Certification should consider which best facilitates medical access and care to patients with obesity, and which best helps obesity medicine clinicians be recognized for their expertise.

Keywords: Certification; Obesity.

Publication types

Review