FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kennesha Baldwin
Heart Rhythm Society
(202) 464-3476
kbaldwin@HRSonline.org
First-of-its-Kind International Exam Targets Physicians who are not Eligible to Obtain U.S. Based Electrophysiology Certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine
WASHINGTON, December 7, 2011 — The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE) today launched the Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Physician. This is the first international examination for the practicing physician who wants to be board certified in electrophysiology (EP).
The IBHRE recognized the need to develop a certification examination that targets physicians who are qualified by their training and experience to achieve EP board certification, but who are not eligible to take the current United States EP Board exam delivered by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
The new certification exam specifically targets:
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Physicians who have obtained part or all of their education abroad
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ABIM requires that the physician must be U.S. Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine. Many physicians in the U.S. have received a portion or all of their Internal Medicine or Cardiovascular Medicine training outside of the U.S. and, therefore, are not eligible to take the U.S. ABIM EP Board Exam
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Pediatric Cardiologists
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Physicians in other countries
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Many physicians in countries such as Canada, Australia, China, India, Japan, South America and the Middle East would like to be Board Certified in EP, but they do not meet the U.S. ABIM registration requirements.
All applicants for the IBHRE EP exam must be licensed physicians with active involvement in the clinical management and care of adult or pediatric patients. Physicians must also have successfully completed training equivalent to an accredited medical school, residency and both cardiology and electrophysiology fellowship.
"The IBHRE Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Physician is a very rigorous exam for the practicing electrophysiologist who currently does not have the opportunity to sit for the ABIM EP board exam," said Charles J. Love, MD, FHRS, CCDS, president of the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners. "This new certification will recognize a worldwide group of adult and pediatric EP physicians and also provides standardization for all qualified candidates no matter where they are located."
The IBHRE will offer the EP exam globally by computer-based testing. Participants will take the exam today in 14 countries. The next MD EP exam will take place in December 2012.
To learn more about the EP exam and other IBHRE exams, visit http://www.ibhre.org.
About the International Heart Rhythm Board of Examiners
Formerly known as NASPExAM®, IBHRE was founded in 1985 to raise the level of professionalism and academic credibility in cardiac pacing. Based in Washington, DC, the organization is an independent entity under the auspices of the Heart Rhythm Society. Close to 10,000 individuals from 48 countries around the world have taken IBHRE exam and earned certification by demonstrating their specific competence in cardiac rhythm device therapy and electrophysiology.
About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of heart rhythm professionals in more than 70 countries around the world.
