The American Board of Family Medicine: Celebrating 50 Years of Continuing Transformation

J Am Board Fam Med. 2020 Sep-Oct;33(Suppl):S69-S74. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2020.S1.190444.

Abstract

The history of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is briefly recounted by focusing on 4 major touchstones that can be considered instrumental in shaping its development as the third largest specialty board in the United States. These include the board's founding, its implementation of maintenance of certification, the creation of its research enterprise, and its culture. The importance of each of these touchstones to the unique contributions that the ABFM has made to the specialty board community is explored.

Keywords: Certification; Family Medicine; Specialty Boards.

MeSH terms

  • Anniversaries and Special Events
  • Family Practice*
  • Humans
  • Specialty Boards*
  • United States