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Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

ABPN Strategic Plan

 

Vision

All patients who need psychiatric or neurologic care will be served well by physicians who have demonstrated specialty expertise and commitment to ongoing professional self-improvement.

Certification by the ABPN will be recognized as the gold standard for demonstrating this expertise and commitment.

Key Values for the ABPN

Expertise and Continuous Professional Self-Improvement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Integrity and Accountability

Respect, Collaboration, and Engagement

 

ABPN Mission

To serve the public and the profession by promoting lifelong learning and certifying psychiatrists and neurologists to high standards of expertise.

At the ABPN, we fulfill our mission by:

  • Setting standards for expertise in our fields, including training and other criteria for certification eligibility
  • Developing and implementing assessments
  • Fostering lifelong learning that includes external feedback
  • Supporting educational innovations and research as related to specialty expertise in training and clinical practice
  • Engaging with other strategic partners
  • Embodying and applying our values to our work

 

The ABPN Strategic Plan Includes These Priority Areas

 

Evolve Our Assessments in Training and in Initial and Continuing Certification
  • Increase inclusion of foundational and emerging content areas relevant to clinical practice
  • Improve assessment methods, processes, and quality, in part by the strategic implementation of technology

Currently ABPN does not use AI in the development of its assessments, including Certification examinations, Continuing Certification examinations, or ABCC article examinations. However, ABPN continues to explore opportunities to enhance its assessment processes and will adhere to its Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence as it does so.

Enhance the Value of Certification
  • Incorporate feedback from physician diplomates, the public, and other interested parties to further improve the quality, feasibility, and relevance of our certification programs
  • Convey the value of board certification, engaging our diplomates and providing information for patients, families, and the broader public
  • Conduct and promote research and scholarship to better understand the relationships among training requirements, board certification, and outcomes for physicians and patients
Explore Potential Improvements to Training Requirements

In collaboration with leaders in psychiatry and neurology:

  • Develop and assess modifications to requirements for certification eligibility in selected ABPN specialties and subspecialties
  • Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of competency assessments
Foster Communications with Collaborators and Other Interested Parties
  • Seek input from multiple viewpoints
  • Convey the ‘what, why, and how’ of ABPN programs
  • Use multiple communication methods to engage collaborators and other interested parties:

Please also see ABPN’s place in the Regulatory Landscape for US Physician Education, Training, and Practice.

Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Across Our Activities

Reflecting our key values, ABPN has several goals and initiatives related to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion; details may be found here.

Advance ABPN Governance
  • Promote opportunities for engagement of diplomates in ABPN activities
  • Develop venues for ABPN leadership to obtain broad input from others with helpful expertise or perspectives
  • Promote the continued professional growth of ABPN leadership