AOA vs. ABIM: A loss of AOBIM program directors

A policy by the American Board of Internal Medicine is hurting the number of medical instruction program directors certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. AOA President Robert G. G. Piccinini, D.O., DFACN, recaps the decline over the past few years.

Medical Economics: How many residence programs could be affected by the program director qualification dispute?

Robert G. G. Piccinini, D.O., DFACN: Just in a basic internal medicine program, we've seen a 93% decrease of AOBIM-certified program directors. And in those fellowships, we've seen ana 83% decrease. So the actual hard numbers I don't know, but the percentages are enormous to the loss that we've seen in AOBIM-certified physicians. The American Osteopathic Association — internal medicine is our second-largest group. Family practice is our largest group.