The importance of choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
All patients seeking plastic surgery procedures should do their homework before choosing their surgeon. Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a qualification not easily obtained, which demonstrates a high level of training and education necessary for optimal results and patient satisfaction. Certification is a voluntary process, meaning the surgeon must choose to pursue this designation to fulfill and maintain the obligations of the specialty board.
Many patients are surprised to learn that any licensed medical doctor, regardless of training, can legally perform plastic surgery and call her or himself a plastic surgeon. Numerous doctors listed under the title of “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon,” have not completed an approved residency in plastic surgery.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the evaluating body that is responsible for determining and evaluating the training and certification of plastic and reconstructive surgeons. It is the only plastic surgery board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties at this point in time.Confirming your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery serves as a warranty for the type of training your surgeon has received and the type of exams he needed to successfully pass in order to receive that certification.
On average, plastic surgery training includes sixteen years of post-high school education, including specific training in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery under direct supervision. Board-certified plastic surgeons have not only met very demanding requirements in order to sit for their boards, but they have also successfully passed a written and a 2-day oral examination, being critically evaluated for their fund of knowledge, their ethical standing and their safe and effective approach to multiple reconstructive and cosmetic challenges.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery aims to produce safe, ethical plastic surgeons with an extensive knowledge of the entire spectrum of plastic surgery, who represent our specialty in the highest standards.
Maintenance of Certification
Dr. Feiner participates in ongoing maintenance of certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Participating in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) means a surgeon continues to meet the requirements for his or her medical specialty board for ongoing learning and assessment.
The MOC Program promotes lifelong learning and improvement activities, the opportunity for self-assessment and helps demonstrate that physicians Board-Certified by an ABMS Member Boards (such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery) continually refresh and expand their knowledge. By participating in MOC, this surgeon is demonstrating his commitment to a lifelong learning process and is engaged in measuring and improving his practice.
